DAWSON CREEK -- The City of Dawson Creek has been offered the opportunity to become a test site for Chinese-built drones.
In a letter presented to city council on behalf of Judy Xie, the founder of aerospace company Aero Future, explained the need for the technology in Canada to better serve remote and Indigenous communities.
The company has partnered with EHang Intelligent Technology, who would manufacture the Passenger Autonomous Aerial Vehicles.
The drones have received certification by aviation authorities in China.
The company says they are working with Transport Canada to perform test flights in communities across the country.
If approved, Dawson Creek would be the first test site in Northern B.C.
Xie says the drones are a way of transporting food and parcels, while being equipped to have emergency response capabilities for fighting forest fires and providing emergency medical response.
"We would like the opportunity to speak to you directly about these vehicles, to discuss how they can be of service and the possibility of having them tested within your community,” said Xie in the letter.
Council made a request for more information and is looking to invite the organization as a delegation to gather more information on their proposal.
Councillor Kyle MacDonald suggests the company rent space from the local airport to use as its home base to conduct test flights.
"I think it's worth a listen to, just to see and be open to it, said MacDonald.
