Wasaga Beach says drone flight cleared after skydive company allegations spark review

Wasaga Beach welcome sign.

Wasaga Beach’s mayor is speaking out after a flurry of public concern over two separate, but now intertwined, issues: the town’s brief use of a micro drone, and the decision not to renew Skydive Wasaga Beach’s lease.

On Thursday, the Town announced Transport Canada completed its review into the drone flight during the town’s fall fair.

According to the Town, Transport Canada’s assessment confirmed “the Town’s micro drone operation was safe and responsible,” effectively closing the file on concerns raised by Skydive Wasaga Beach earlier this month.

The investigation stemmed from a complaint by the skydiving company, which alleged the drone operated by or on behalf of the municipality was flown dangerously close to an active parachute landing zone without proper authorization.

The company argued the drone flight posed a risk to its parachutists and filed a report through Transport Canada’s Aviation Daily Occurrence Reporting System.

Following the complaint, the Town launched its own internal review and Mayor Brian Smith issued a statement noting the drone was operated under full visual line of sight, at an altitude below 100 feet, and for a very short time.

The Town says it has already taken steps to secure the necessary certificate required under new regulations introduced in April for future events.

Town officials say Transport Canada also confirmed “the airspace was not restricted at any time” and “the Town is not required to obtain approval from Skydive Wasaga before flying.” The Town added the agency has “no intention of pursuing this matter further.”

“Public safety remains our top priority,” the Town stated in its update Thursday, adding its micro drone would have been grounded immediately if any safety concerns had arisen.

“A report will be brought to Council shortly to summarize these findings,” the Town concluded.

The public dispute sparked after Skydive Wasaga Beach claimed via a Facebook post last week its lease renewal was denied by the municipality in retaliation for the safety complaint.

Skydive Wasaga’s owner said the company received an email from the Town shortly after filing the complaint, stating, ““As a result of the safety concerns that you have brought to our attention, the Town will not be renewing our lease with Skydive Wasaga Beach.”

Smith previously denied the allegation, saying the decision not to renew the lease was made months in advance and based on “a number of considerations,” including growing demand for use of municipal lands for community programs and events.

Skydive Wasaga has operated locally for more than a decade. The company has not issued a response following the recent developments.