Canada Must Seize Space Opportunities During Space Week

During Space Week, celebrated every October, Canadians are encouraged to reflect on their nation’s contributions to space exploration and the critical role it can play in the future of humanity. This year, the emphasis is on the urgent need for Canada to act decisively to enhance its position within the growing global space sector. With the sector projected to reach $2 trillion annually by 2040, Canada stands at a pivotal moment to solidify its leadership.

Canada’s space sector is more than an experimental initiative; it currently employs over 25,000 people, predominantly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, and contributes approximately $3.2 billion to the national GDP. This figure reflects both direct and indirect impacts on the economy, highlighting the sector’s significance in enhancing Canada’s economic landscape.

Strategic Importance of Space

Space has evolved into a strategic domain, essential for national defence, Arctic sovereignty, climate monitoring, and disaster response. The rapid evolution of the global space economy means that Canada must not fall behind. Nations worldwide are advancing their capabilities, from innovative startups to established operators, raising the performance bar in the sector.

Space Week serves as a reminder for Canadians to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers while considering the long-term investments necessary for future success. These investments must be backed by consistent policies, funding, and institutional frameworks to translate ambitions into tangible outcomes.

To achieve this, Canada needs a robust framework for coordinating its commercial, defence, and scientific space activities. The National Space Council, as proposed in the 2024 federal budget, should be empowered with legal authority and a long-term mandate to guide these efforts, ensuring that elected officials are central to the decision-making process.

Modernizing Space Regulations

Canada must also modernize its laws regarding spectrum management, launch liability, and orbital debris mitigation. Aligning these regulations with international standards will foster a competitive environment for Canadian companies. A stable regulatory framework is essential for enabling domestic firms to scale confidently and compete globally.

Additionally, there is a pressing need to develop Canada’s national defence space industrial base, which includes enhancing research and development programs and integrating commercial space capabilities. A recent Novaspace white paper warns that Canadian companies face disadvantages in the global market due to insufficient government support, highlighting the urgency for federal leadership in early-stage projects such as launch trials and Earth-observation initiatives.

Public investments in these areas will unlock private capital and facilitate expansion while supporting “dual-use” capabilities that address both civilian and defence needs, particularly in the Arctic region.

A skilled workforce is critical for the growth of the space sector. Canada must ensure equitable access to education and training opportunities across the country, fostering partnerships among educational institutions, governments, and businesses to prepare the next generation for careers in space.

Looking Ahead

As Canada celebrates Space Week, the focus should not be solely on symbolic gestures but rather on actionable policies that promote investment and collaboration. The year 2025 represents a significant turning point, with Canada’s historical strengths in robotics and satellite systems providing a competitive edge.

By seizing the moment, Canada can play a crucial role in the global space economy, yielding substantial benefits for its citizens. When students look to the sky this Space Week, they should see not just rockets and satellites but a multitude of career opportunities and a future where Canada leads on the world stage.

Brian Gallant, CEO of Space Canada, and Aaron Shull, managing director and general counsel at CIGI, emphasize that the time for ambition and action is now. Canadians are invited to engage in this transformative journey, demanding leadership that propels the nation into a prosperous space-faring future.