Lost and Found in Canada

Back in 2009, I wrote about one of the best inventions since fire and the wheel:the Garmin Astro GPS tracking collar for dogs.  I explained that the device was not authorized for use in Canada at that time, but could be authorized by 2014. So today, realizing that we are half way through 2014, I called Industry Canada, the department that oversees such things to see if Astro GPS tracking collars for dogs are now approved for use in Canada. 

Unfortunately, it's not good news:

Since release of Industry Canada’s 2009 policy decision, uncertainties have been raised regarding potential uptake of MURS devices in Canada, and the relative merits of proceeding with MURS implementation in light of potential negative impacts to incumbent licensees. As a result, the Department does not feel that the introduction of MURS devices in Canada is warranted at this time, and has decided to defer the introduction of MURS devices in Canada until a clearer indication of actual need is provided by Canadian MURS advocates and/or stakeholders. Manufacturers, importers, retailers, current licensed users, and all other stakeholders are asked to take note of this provision.

So, what the hell happened? 

Is Canada now run by a tyrannical cabal of radio frequency Nazis? How DARE they tread on my dog-given right to track my pointy hounds via satellite!

Bottom line: MURS is open to unlicensed users in the US, but is still not open for non-licensed use in Canada. Back in 2002, Industry Canada did not follow the lead of the FCC in the US. And now, after 5 years of thinking about it (or more likely, not  thinking about it), Industry Canada has decided that it will maintain the pay-to-play status of the MURS band. Their statement basically admits that changing the rules now would would piss off too many current permit holders. So MURS remains available only to license holders and will probably remain that way for the foreseeable future. 

But here's the thing: Astro, Alpha and other devices that use the MURS frequencies are not illegal in Canada per se. If you bring one up here, you won't be subject to a cavity search at the border and a SWAT team won't be storming your RV at grouse camp. To Industry Canada, Garmin Astros and Alphas are no different than walkie-talkies, garage door openers, remote car starters, RC model airplanes, heck even remote thermometers. Any device that emits radio waves, may or may not be approved for use in Canada, or the US. It all comes down to whether or not they conform to the FCC and/or Industry Canada allocation of radio frequencies. And even if they do, they could be rendered 'unapproved for use' by doing something as simple as changing the antenna or modifying a circuit in the device. Look what Tri-Tronics has to say about their e-collars:

So if you are paranoid about using an Astro up here, you might want to check the fine print for your walkie-talkies, garage door openers, remote car starters, RC model airplanes, even remote thermometers. They may not even be approved for use where you are either! Be that as it may, let me conclude by cutting and pasting what I wrote in 2009. Unfortunately, it still applies.

If you have an Astro or Alpha and you are hunting in Canada, remember that: Industry Canada is interested in compliance, NOT punishment. And they are not in the business of skulking around hay bails in Saskatchewan with scanners looking for law breaking Yankies with fancy collars on their high falutin dogs. So if you bring an Astro up here and it did happen to interfere with farmer Brown's radio base station and tractor in the field, or with a hydro worker repairing a line, you may be asked to turn it off and to stop interfering with the frequency. No fines, no water-boarding.

However, if you then continued to use it, despite the warning, you could face stiff penalties. But twenty grand and the loss of your car? Nope. Unless your were following fire trucks in downtown Toronto and deliberately screwing with their radios as they tried to save a burning convent and orphanage, I doubt you would get anything more than whatever equivalent of a speeding ticket gets handed out by the radio/tv cops.

Of course, I'm just some guy on the net. I am not a lawyer and I am not a cop. I'm not even coherent most of the time. So take lots of salt with whatever advice I may provide and weigh the risk-to-benefit ratio of whatever action you may take. 

Potential work-around: when in Canada, attach one of these to your dog?

UPDATE #2 Apparently not ALL of the e-collars that Garmin make are compatible with Canadian regulations: Steve Snell from Gundog Supply posted that "The new Pro Trashbreaker also uses MURS" so is therefore not authorized for use in Canada.

But the good news is that "SportDog has a Canadian version of their GPS and Ecollar combo TEK 1 and the TEK 2 coming out this Fall will also be available in Canada. They work off a legal frequency." 

YEAH!!!!

Thanks for the info Steve!!