A sharp increase in the number of pilots being temporarily blinded by lasers while landing or taking off has Transport Canada reminding people that conviction for the crime can result in jail time and a large fine.

So far this year there have been 46 incidents across Canada. That's up from 21 last year, three in 2006 and three in 2005 when Transport Canada first began tracking the numbers, said spokesperson Maryse Durette.

The highest number of reports occurred at Toronto's Pearson International Airport.

"It is a concern. Any time a pilot is not able to perform at 100 per cent it becomes a concern," Durette told CTV.ca, noting that any distraction can hurts their ability to protect their planes and passengers.

So far in 2008 there have been 16 incidents in Ontario, 11 in Quebec, nine in B.C., seven in Alberta, one in Manitoba, one in Saskatchewan and one in Nova Scotia.

All but one of the Ontario incidents affected planes at Pearson International Airport, while one affected a plane at the Toronto Island Airport.

The most recent incidents occurred on Oct. 10 and 13 at Toronto Island and Pearson, respectively.

Prior to this year, there had been just five incidents at Pearson, dating all the way back to 2005.

Durette said all of the incidents involved "category one" over-the-counter laser pointers -- the type that are available in stores for purchase without a licence, and are often used in corporate boardrooms.

Durette said Transport Canada treats the incidents seriously and works with local police to investigate whenever a report is made by a pilot.

Earlier this year a Calgary man was arrested and prosecuted for pointing a laser into the cockpit of a plane. He was the first to be caught and convicted for committing the offence, and received a $1,000 fine.

Durette said fines and jail time can range up to a maximum $100,000 fine for a summary conviction, and up to five years in prison.

"It's a pretty stupid thing to do if you don't want to end up in trouble with the law," she said.