Government introduces bill to support space launches from Canadian territory

The federal government has introduced space launch legislation which it says will allow Ottawa to regulate and oversee both launches and re-entry on Canadian territory.

Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon told reporters Tuesday Canada is the only G7 country without space launch capabilities.

“Currently, we must rely on foreign countries, most often the United States, to get Canadian satellites in orbit,” he said.

“This reliance on the U.S. sends investment out of our country, creates costly delays, and leads critical infrastructure exposed to decisions beyond our control.”

Officials said in a technical briefing the Canadian Space Launch Act will allow technology like satellites and rockets to be launched into space from Canadian facilities. They said the launches will serve both military and civilian applications.

MacKinnon said the legislation could lead to the establishment of a Canadian commercial space industry worth $40 billion.

Launches could start in two or three years, he said.

In March, the government announced it is putting $200 million toward a 10-year lease on a Canadian-owned launch pad in Nova Scotia. Defence Minister David McGuinty said at the time about 20 per cent of the Canadian economy — including banking and cellphone systems — relies on satellites.

“We want to be able to give ourself more sovereignty and security on that front,” McGuinty said.

MacKinnon said Tuesday there have been major advances in the use of space for telecommunications, mapping, geolocation and intelligence-gathering.

“These are things that Canada cannot permit itself to fall behind on. So this is about giving ourselves the options and the capability of protecting Canada, of making sure our armed forces stay current and on pace with the rest of the world,” he said.

By Anja Karadeglija

— With files from Kyle Duggan