Short answer: yes. Since June 30, 2026, most pesticides that are registered for aerial application in Canada can legally be applied by drone. That is new — and most farmers we talk to haven't heard it yet. Here is what changed, what conditions come with it, and what it means on your farm, in plain English.

What changed on June 30, 2026

Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency finalized SPN2026-02. Under it, any pesticide already registered for conventional aerial application — plane or helicopter — may now be applied by remotely piloted aircraft (drones), following the aerial directions on the label.

Before this, only 7 pesticides in all of Canada were registered for drone application. Practically speaking, drone spraying went from "almost nothing is allowed" to "most of the aerial catalogue is allowed" overnight.

The conditions that come with it

This is not a free-for-all. The conditions are mandatory, and they change how you plan a spray day:

• Follow the aerial label exactly. No changes to spray volume, application rate, droplet size, or buffer zones.
• Two-person crew. The person who mixes and loads the pesticide must not be the pilot. This is a regulation, not a suggestion — budget for a second set of hands.
• PPE is required for the pilot, the observer, and anyone handling product or swapping batteries.
• Check the label for opt-outs. Manufacturers can exclude drones by adding "DO NOT apply by RPAS" to a label. Read before you fill the tank.

Layer two: Transport Canada

Health Canada governs the product; Transport Canada governs the aircraft. Agricultural drones fall into weight categories:

• Medium RPA (25–150 kg operating weight): flyable with the appropriate pilot certificate — no Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) needed. The DJI Agras T25P operates in this category.
• Above 150 kg: an SFOC is generally required. The DJI Agras T100's maximum takeoff weight sits above the 150 kg line at full payload, so plan on the SFOC path for full-load T100 operation. We give every buyer a straight answer on this for their specific operation — and we handle the licensing path with them.

One number worth knowing: there are only about 21,000 Advanced Pilot Certificates in all of Canada, across every industry. Qualified pilots are the scarce resource in this market — which is why we include training and certification support with every purchase. See our pilot certification page.

Layer three: your province

Provincial pesticide-applicator rules sit on top of the federal layers, and they differ:

Province	Where it stands
Saskatchewan	Most developed framework: a dedicated drone applicator licence (January 2026), training through Sask Polytechnic, GPS record-keeping, and drift liability insurance requirements.
Alberta	Framework in place; detailed guidance still being published. Check the province's current requirements for your operation.
Manitoba	Producers are exempt when spraying their own land; commercial applicators need a provincial licence.
Ontario	Active market — we sell and support drones for Ontario operations today.

The pattern to remember: farmers spraying their own land are generally exempt from provincial applicator licensing in the Prairies. Custom and contract operators are not — if you spray for hire, licensing applies to you.

What this means for your farm

The biggest legal objection to spray drones in Canada died in June 2026. What's left is process: the right certificate, a two-person crew, the label, and your province's rules. None of it is hard with someone walking you through it — and that is exactly what we do. Every True North Ag purchase includes pilot training, Transport Canada certificate preparation, and a straight answer on whether your operation needs an SFOC.

See the drones we stock in Canada, run your numbers in the ROI calculator, or talk to us about your operation.

This article is general information, not legal advice. The product label and current federal and provincial regulations govern your operation.