Protocols and Resources

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 becoming 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

Creative BC is committed to promoting guidelines that safeguard the welfare of animals involved in motion picture production in British Columbia.

Controlled Alien Species in BC
BC SPCA Position Statement
American Humane Society Guidelines for Filmmakers

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]

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.

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

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:

• Gas Appliances Design Registration
• Accumulators (Propane Cannons) Registration
• Accumulators (Propane Cannons) Operating Permit

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.

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).

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

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.

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