New drone program launched by Peacekeepers
File photo
Canada’s first-ever drone first responder took flight this week in Kahnawake, the result of a partnership between the Kahnawake Peacekeepers and drone company Drone360.
The drone, launched on Tuesday, was mapping flight patterns during the day, according to a Peacekeepers’ press release. A restricted airspace was created at the beginning of 2026 to serve as the area of operation for the drone.
Those flight patterns are to be used for the different potential roles the Peacekeepers will have for the drone: during traffic operations, search-and-rescue operations, fires, and emergencies on the St. Lawrence River and Seaway.
According to the press release, the drone will “allow Peacekeepers to observe an incident scene before responding units arrive on scene, which will increase efficiency and allow for the identification of dangers to the public and first responders.”
The partnership with Drone360 for the Drone First Responder Proof of Concept program has resulted in the drone technology being provided free of charge to the Peacekeepers, along with 24/7 off-site remote services.
In a previous interview with The Eastern Door, Mohawk Council of Kahnawake chief Ryan Montour, the lead on public safety, said that all the data collected by the drone would be owned by Kahnawake.
