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Protocols and Resources

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Essential safety guidelines, regulatory requirements, and industry standards for motion picture production in British Columbia.

This resource provides production teams with technical specifications for aircraft operations, pyrotechnics, firearms, special effects, electrical permits, food service vehicles, traffic management, and more. 

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Resources, Information, and Protocols

ActSafe partners with B.C.’s entertainment industries to keep workers safe.  The organization is dedicated to the promotion of workplace health and safety in the motion picture and performing arts industries in British Columbia.

Their mandate includes providing health & safety information, education, and training for the performing arts and motion picture industries in our Province. Actsafe has publications, posters, videos and access to industry-specific health and safety consultation When the industry perceives a need, Actsafe responds.

Aircrafts
Transport Canada must approve any aircraft use, including both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft; manned and unmanned. The Aircraft Company is responsible for contacting Transport Canada.

Typically a permit requires ten to twenty days for approval, and a fee is charged for the application. Permits are typically arranged by the pilots of aircraft on behalf of the Producer/Production Company.

Transport Canada BC Regional Office
Actsafe Aircraft Safety Bulletins

Drones
The use of drones for filming is commonplace throughout the province.  When using a drone for filming on location, the production is required to follow all federal regulations issued by Transport Canada, and may be required to include details such as a flight path and proof of aviation liability insurance as part of the submission to the permitting authority (ie: city or park).Note that seasonal or geographic considerations that protect wildlife are key elements in approvals by municipal, regional, provincial and federal parks authorities.

Transport Canada: Flying Your Drone Safely and Legally
Transport Canada: Know Your Drone Category & Operation Level

Please note Transport Canada updated their regulations in 2019, and Actsafe is working on updating the following UAS Safety Bulletin #36 (Oct 2015) on drone usage to reflect those changes.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) – Pre-Production Memo
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) – Call Sheet Memo

Aircrafts
Transport Canada must approve any aircraft use, including both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft; manned and unmanned. The Aircraft Company is responsible for contacting Transport Canada.

Typically a permit requires ten to twenty days for approval, and a fee is charged for the application. Permits are typically arranged by the pilots of aircraft on behalf of the Producer/Production Company.

Transport Canada BC Regional Office
Actsafe Aircraft Safety Bulletins

Drones
The use of drones for filming is commonplace throughout the province.  When using a drone for filming on location, the production is required to follow all federal regulations issued by Transport Canada, and may be required to include details such as a flight path and proof of aviation liability insurance as part of the submission to the permitting authority (ie: city or park).Note that seasonal or geographic considerations that protect wildlife are key elements in approvals by municipal, regional, provincial and federal parks authorities.

Transport Canada: Flying Your Drone Safely and Legally
Transport Canada: Know Your Drone Category & Operation Level

Please note Transport Canada updated their regulations in 2019, and Actsafe is working on updating the following UAS Safety Bulletin #36 (Oct 2015) on drone usage to reflect those changes.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) – Pre-Production Memo
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) – Call Sheet Memo

Effective January 2, 2024, the Director, Commercial Vehicle Safety, has updated the exemption previously issued under Compliance Circular 02-2019 under Motor Vehicle Act Regulations (MVAR) 37.23 to implement the following hours of service rules for commercial motor vehicles providing transportation of persons or property to or from a motion picture production site.

While these vehicles will be exempt from specific portions of Parts 4 to 8 of MVAR Division 37, there are substituted requirements to ensure that drivers are not operating while fatigued and public safety remains a priority.

The substituted requirements may be amended by the Director upon reasonable notice to industry. Any amendments will be published as an update to this circular.

Download the updated Compliance Circular

Safety Plans

As of April 8, 2022 with the expiration of the “Workplace Safety Order – March 10, 2022”, productions are no longer required to develop and implement a COVID-19 Safety Plan.  They should instead transition to a communicable disease prevention strategy.

WorkSafeBC offers a template to assist productions in the creation of their communicable disease plan.  The communicable disease plan does not need to be reviewed or approved before production can begin, but WorkSafeBC will review the plan as part of their inspection.

Actsafe offers a communicable disease plan template and is available to review and provide feedback of communicable disease plans through their online submission form.

Proof of Vaccinations

Proof of vaccination is no longer required for access to businesses, events, and services.  Per the PHO order “Gatherings and Events – March 10, 2022”, the proof of vaccination requirement does not apply to workers at the workplace when engaged in their work activities.

Effective March 11, visitors to indoor public spaces are no longer required to wear a face covering per the PHO order “Face Coverings (COVID-19) Order – March 10, 2022”.  Individual employers may still require the use of a face covering per “Workplace Safety – March 10, 2022”.

Learn more about where masks are required and who must wear them

Stay current with information coming from the Provincial Health Office and the Provincial Health Officer’s “Orders, Notices and Guidance“.

Stay apprised of changes through the BC Centre for Disease Control Employers & Businesses page.

Safety Guidelines + Pandemic Production Guide

The BC Motion Picture Industry COVID-19 Best Practices Coalition published a set of high-level Safety Guidelines to assist productions in the safe return to work. The high-level guidelines were created in collaboration between 27 participants, including domestic and international employers, labour organizations, and industry associations.

To further support the motion picture industry, the Coalition developed the Pandemic Production Guide. The guide is intended to support the assessment and management of COVID-19 risk in all types of production, and to assist employers in developing their own COVID-19 safety plans across departments.

Together, these assets serve employers of any size to access detailed health and safety protocols, guides, and best practices for motion picture production in British Columbia.

Testing

In a letter to industries, Dr. Bonnie Henry confirmed routine testing of asymptomatic people is not currently recommended in B.C.

Employers who wish to implement screening and private testing measures – understanding that there are limitations to this approach as per the letter – must comply with the B.C. legal frameworks, (including but not limited to B.C human rights, employment standards, applicable collective agreements, privacy law, and existing and future Provincial Health Officer orders, notices, and guidance).

The B.C. Centre for Disease Control offers all information on B.C.’s approach to testing.  For more information about testing in B.C., please reach out to the Film Commission.

The following organizations are available to provide production-specific private testing resources.  Creative BC does not endorse or vet organizations included on the list.  Productions wishing to engage with private testing organizations should do so in line with PHO guidelines per the letter to industries above.

Airwolf Medical – Renata Lewis
info@airwolfmedical.com | (604) 905-8775

Align Production Health & Strategic Consulting Inc. – Emily O’Loughlin
emily@alignproductionhealth.com | (604) 783-1253

Aspen Care Health – Shelley McLellan (LPN)
info@aspencarehealth.com | (403) 990-3837

Bon Voyage Medical
ivy@bonvoyagemedical.com| (604) 447-8597

CVM Medical – Raffy Karagossian
help@covid-medical.ca | (604) 332-7700

Eco Health – Andrew Rowntree
(250) 419-8344

Empower Clinics – Tamara Mason
info@empowerclinics.com | (416) 671-5617

Fast Test– Michael Gracias
info@fast-test.ca | (778) 636-5502

Feature Health & Safety – Alasdair Drinnan
info@featureHS.com | (250) 764-3712

First Wellness Testing
covid19@firstwellnesstesting.com | (416) 640-7480

International SOS – Carmen Jeam
carmen.jeam@internationalsos.com | (403) 263-1118

Iridia Medical
covidsupport@iridiamedical.com

Mobile Lab – ReelCovidTesting – Sage Rich
reelcovidtesting@gmail.com | (778) 816-0025

Reel Nurses
info@reelnurses.com | (604) 414-9805

Resolve Medical – Krysta VH
krystavh@resolvemedical.ca | 1-855-578-9906  Ext. 388

Rockdoc Consulting – Andrew Durham
info@rockdocinc.com | 1-888-761-4001

Screenpro Security – Lena Kozovski
lena@screenprosecurity.com | (647) 878-6674

SetTest
info@settest.ca

Whitecap Risk & Safety Consultants
info@whitecaprsc.com | (604) 966-3777

If your organization provides COVID-19 private testing for the motion picture industry and would like to be added to our website, please email the Film Commission.

Resources

General Resources
ActSafe 
AFCI Global Production Alert 
BC Centre for Disease Control
Canadia Media Producers Association
Commercial Production Association of Western Canada (CPAWC) 
Creative BC COVID-19 Resource Index
Government of British Columbia Restart Plan 
Labour Organizations
MPPIA Townhall links 
Office of the Provincial Health Officer 
Public Health Agency of Canada 
World Health Organization

COVID-19 Courses:
Actsafe COVID-19 Safety Procedures Course
Safe Set COVID-19 Certificate (Levels A + B)
World Health Organization COVID-19 Training

COVID-19 Consultation:
Align Production Health & Strategic Consulting Inc. | Emily O’Loughlin
emily@alignproductionhealth.com | (604) 783-1253

Bon Voyage Medical
partnerships@bonvoyagemedical.com | (604) 447-8597

Fast Test – Michael Gracias
info@fast-test.ca | (778) 636-5502

Feature Health & Safety | Alasdair Drinnan
info@featureHS.com | (250) 764-3712

The Harwood Safety Group
(778) 689-2644

International SOS | Carmen Jeam
carmen.jeam@internationalsos.com | (403) 263-1118

Iridia Medical
covidsupport@iridiamedical.com

Reel Nurses
info@reelnurses.com | (604) 414-9805

Whitecap Risk & Safety Consultants
info@whitecaprsc.com | (604) 966-3777

COVID-19 Private Testing:
The following organizations are available to provide production-specific private testing resources.  Creative BC does not endorse or vet organizations included on the list.  Productions wishing to engage with private testing organizations should do so in line with PHO guidelines.

Airwolf Medical – Renata Lewis
info@airwolfmedical.com | (604) 905-8775

Align Production Health & Strategic Consulting Inc. – Emily O’Loughlin
emily@alignproductionhealth.com | (604) 783-1253

Aspen Care Health – Shelley McLellan (LPN)
info@aspencarehealth.com | (403) 990-3837

Bon Voyage Medical
partnerships@bonvoyagemedical.com | (604) 447-8597

CVM Medical

Permits are required for any lighting equipment and other uses of electricity. Most cities and towns require a provincial permit through Technical Safety BC. Some cities handle their own electrical permits and should be contacted directly: Burnaby, Maple Ridge, North Vancouver City, North Vancouver District, Surrey, Vancouver, Victoria, and West Vancouver.

Technical Safety BC is an independent, self-funded organization that oversees the safe installation and operation of technical systems and equipment across the province. In addition to issuing permits, licenses and certificates, TSBC works with industry to reduce safety risks through assessment, education and outreach, enforcement, and research.

Apply for the provincial temporary electrical operating permit:
Technical Safety BC – Electrical Operating Permit portal
Technical Safety BC jurisdictions
Technical Safety BC Temporary Entertainment Operating Permit [PDF]
Full Entertainment Field Safety Representative – Electrical FSR certification

When Pyrotechnics are being used, permitting authorities may request a Pyro Effects Plan or Letter of Intent. A Letter of Intent is usually satisfactory for film and television productions and should include:

  • Locations and dates for filming of effects
  • General description of the scene
  • Effects to be used and their fabrication
  • Anticipated result
  • Safety measures to be taken
  • Method of determining safety distances

Copies of Event Approval and Pyro Effects Plan/ Letter of Intent must be available on set.

Authorities having Jurisdiction (AHJ): 

  • Fire Chief/Fire Protection Office
  • Provincial Occupational Health (WorkSafeBC) and Safety Organizations (ActSafe)
  • Designated representatives for event approval or site inspections

Demonstration (Show and Tell):
A demonstration may be required to determine if the effect can be performed safely. It is understood that this is not always feasible in film and television production, due to the one-off nature of many performances.

Special Considerations: 
If you are based outside of Canada, and you are participating in the production of a pyrotechnic special effects event in Canada, you must employ a certified Canadian technician of the applicable class and obtain a Visitor Card from the Explosives Regulatory Division in addition to your work permit. For information on the certification of pyrotechnics and pyrotechnical personnel, please refer to this course.

Beginning Thursday, June 11, 2026, the FIFA World Cup 26™ will be underway, with Vancouver slated to host seven matches at BC Place between June 13 and July 7, 2026. 

Up to 350,000 fans are expected to attend the matches taking place at BC Place. To support the safe and successful delivery of the tournament, the City of Vancouver is expected to implement traffic management measures, including possible temporary road closures and “local traffic only” access in the downtown core on and around match days.

These measures will also impact special event permitting within the downtown core, along arterial roads, and in designated event zones throughout the city.

Despite these changes, Vancouver remains open for business, including film permitting services. The timing and scope of closures and restrictions are still being finalized.

For the most up-to-date information, please visit: vancouverfwc26.ca/road-closures.

Where firearms are visible or audible to the public, municipalities may require that a police officer be present.  In many cases, only 1/4 loads can be used.

The use of firearms for motion picture activities requires both federal and provincial licences.  The federal business firearms licence specific to the motion picture/theatrical production industry may authorize a business to possess firearms (including prohibited firearms) and other prohibited items such as prohibited devices and prohibited weapons.

For more information or questions about the federal business firearms licence, please contact the Chief Firearm Officer for British Columbia at:

Phone: 1-800-731-4000 extension 9530
E-mail: BCYTCFP@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Fax : 778-290-6174

Firearms Act
The Firearms Act addresses the use of firearms and other prohibited items for the purpose of motion picture/theatrical productions. The Firearms Licences Regulations includes specific provisions for the motion picture/theatrical production industry in regards to:

  • A Non-resident 60-day Possession Licence (Borrowed Firearms) Section 10, 3(g) and 4(g); and,

Application for a Non-resident Temporary Borrowing Licence for Non-restricted Firearms

  • The prescribed purpose for a business to possess prohibited firearms and other prohibited items Section 22, (f) & (g)

The Special Authority to Possess Regulations references the temporary transfer of a replica firearm to a transferee who does not hold a federal firearms business licence for the purpose of motion picture activities (i.e. a licensed supplier temporarily lending a replica firearm to a Prop Master):

  • Temporary Transfers of Replica Firearms 8(a)

Controlled Goods Directorate 
The Controlled Goods Directorate (CGD) is a Federal Government Program administered by the Department of Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC).

The CGD is a domestic industrial security program that helps strengthen Canadas defense trade controls through registration, prevention, deterrence and detection, and prevents the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and of conventional weapons. This is done by regulating and controlling the examination, possession, and transfer in Canada of controlled goods and/or controlled technology.

Anyone who deals with controlled goods and/or controlled technology in Canada is required to register with the CGD. The CGD is legislated by the Defence Production Act (DPA) and the Controlled Goods Regulations (CGR).

The MPR Blanket Certificate provides Basic Auto Insurance coverage including Third-Party Liability for rented vehicles specific to the Motion Picture Industry. This product is designed to provide liability protection, and budgeting certainty for productions. The MPR Blanket Certificate replaces the vendor’s basic insurance Certificate while the vehicle is under the control of a production.

  • Provides budgeting certainty to Productions
  • Protects vendors from claims and impacts to insurance premiums
  • Protects drivers’ personal driving records and insurance ratings

Download the Education Materials and Worksheet
Find an ICBC Broker

FKA Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI)

Having trouble determining if a public roadway or highway is under municipal or MOTT jurisdiction?

To determine which are municipal roads and which are MOTT roads, click this link and follow the steps below:

iMapBC

Here are the steps to get the layer in place:

  1. Click “Data Sources” tab (at top)
  2. Click “Add Provincial layers”
  3. Search “RFI”
  4. Check “Road Features Inventory (RFI) Highways – MOTT” box, Click OK
  5. Zoom in using the ‘+’ button (or click arrow next to where it says “Road Features Inventory” and click “zoom to visible scale”)
  6. Roads in burgundy are MoTT roads, which will appear after you zoom in enough

NOTE: always verify this with MOTT at filming@gov.bc.ca and/or municipal permitting authority before proceeding with any filming activity.

Craft Service and Catering Vehicles, which include but are not limited to trailers, converted motor homes, or other self-contained units, may be required to meet the description of a Food Service Establishment as defined in the BC Food Premises Regulation.

For this reason, the owner/operator of the vehicle must apply to the local Health Authority for approval and to obtain a valid PERMIT TO OPERATE.

Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
Fraser Health Authority

All mobile food trucks owners must ensure systems are up to date for electrical and propane sticker certifications from Technical Safety BC.

Electrical Products
Gas Appliances

Mobile food trucks must also have up to date fire inspection stickers which can be obtained via municipal fire departments.

Municipal fire departments should be notified when staging any stunts related to fire or explosions. Typically, a fire suppression plan is required, involving the presence of fire or water trucks.

Film Permitting Authorities
The authority permitting film work may request a Special Effects Plan or Letter of Intent. A Letter of Intent is usually satisfactory for film and television productions and should include:

  • Locations and dates for filming of effects
  • General description of the scene
  • Effects to be used and their fabrication
  • Anticipated result
  • Safety measures to be taken
  • Method of determining safety distances

Copies of Event Approval and Special Effects Plan/ Letter of Intent must be available on set.

SPFX Equipment Operating Permits
Technical Safety BC oversees the safe use of gas appliances and accumulators for the purpose of Special Effects in the Motion Picture Industry. Certified equipment must be registered, and proper operating permits must be in place. Qualified special effects technicians can apply for these items at:

Site Visits
A site visit may be required to determine if the effect can be performed safely. It is understood that this is not always feasible in film and television production, due to the one-off nature of many performances.

Most highway shoots require the use of certified traffic control personnel. On roadways within municipal jurisdictions, producers may have to contact local police to provide traffic control. Private traffic management companies are often approved to provide traffic management and planning services in most municipalities.

Traffic Control + Training

Worksafe BC is committed to creating a province free from workplace injury or illness, and to providing service driven by our core values of integrity, accountability, and innovation. By partnering with workers and employers, Worksafe BC helps British Columbians come home from work safe every day.

Health and Safety for Motion Picture Industry