Mainland Nova Scotia film and photography guidelines and permits

Just visiting?

Visitors taking photos and videos for personal use or as a non commercial hobby do not require a permit or business licence.

Commercial film and photography

Commercial filming and photography activities require a film or photography permit.

Commercial filming and photography activities include:

• feature and short films
• documentaries
• web and television series
• marketing (including styled photoshoots)
• other projects with a commercial intent that do not qualify as a small-scale travel media registration

Commercial film or photography permit application form

Complete and submit the Commercial Film or Photography Permit Application Form.

If approved, Parks Canada will issue a Commercial Film or Photography Permit.

Small-scale travel media film and photography

Small-scale travel media film and photography projects only require a project registration, rather than a film/photo permit. This applies to all sites in Mainland Nova Scotia, except Sable Island National Park Reserve.

Small-scale project criteria

A project is considered “small-scale” when it meets all of the following criteria:

1. project is intended to inform audiences about the work of Parks Canada or promote visitation to Parks Canada-administered places
2. crew size is six people or fewer (including models or other talent)
3. equipment is limited to cameras, tripods, microphones or other handheld equipment
4. activities remain in areas open to the public and during normal operating hours only
5. project adheres to all laws and regulations
6. no drones are used
7. project location is not Sable Island National Park Reserve

Small-scale project registration form

If your project meets ALL of the small-scale project criteria above

• Complete the Small-Scale Travel Media Film and Photo Project Registration Form (PDF, 1.05 MB)
• Registration forms may be submitted to either:
  • Mainland Nova Scotia field unit: mnscomms-commnec@pc.gc.ca
  • National Office Travel Media Relations team: travelmedia-mediasvoyage@pc.gc.ca

Resources for small-scale travel media

• Guide to small-scale travel film and photo shoots at Parks Canada
• Contact us for more specific inquiries, travel tips, best timing and unique locations within the sites

Professional photography and videography

Photographers or videographers require a permit or business license when capturing images and footage with the intent to sell their work.

Personal use

Visitors taking photos and videos for personal use or as a non-commercial hobby do not require a permit or business license.

Professional activity criteria

Visitors who are hired to take photos or plan to sell photos taken in a Parks Canada-administered location require a permit or business license.

Professional photography and videography activities could include:

• wedding photography and videography
• wildlife, nature, and landscape photography
• stock photo or video capture

Contact us for more information

Sable Island National Park Reserve

• Email: sable@pc.gc.ca

All other locations in Mainland Nova Scotia

• Email: mnscomms-commnec@pc.gc.ca

Conditions

Filming and photography covered within this permit or business license must not impede park or site use and enjoyment by other visitors, damage cultural or natural resources or disturb wildlife.

Parks Canada rules and regulations apply to all film/photography activities, including respecting wildlife, closed areas and cultural resources.

Drones

Drones (including micro-drones <250g) are highly regulated in Parks Canada-administered places to protect wildlife and preserve the experience of visitors, among other considerations.

Recreational use of drones is strictly prohibited in all Parks Canada-administered places.

The use of drones for commercial filming purposes may only be authorized for the purposes of:

• natural and cultural resource management
• public safety
• law enforcement
• park/site management purposes, including selective filming for outreach, education and promotional purposes

Projects must fit one of the above purposes to be considered for approval at the discretion of the Field Unit Superintendent.

Permits

Regardless of drone size, drone use in a Parks Canada-administered place requires both a Commercial Film Permit and a Restricted Activity Permit.

Unauthorized drone use

Anyone caught operating a drone within park/site boundaries without an approved permit may result in law enforcement action and a fine of up to $25,000. If you witness the use of a drone in a Parks Canada-administered place, please report the incident to park wardens by calling 1-877-852-3100.

Application process

If you would like to apply for a Restricted Activity Permit for the use of a drone, you must submit a written proposal to mnscomms-commnec@pc.gc.ca.

In your proposal, you must clearly demonstrate how your intended use of a drone supports any of the above purposes.

If your project involves commercial filming, please refer to commercial film and photography for more information. 

More information

• Learn more about the use of drones in Parks Canada-administered places
• Email: mnscomms-commnec@pc.gc.ca