Investment will support rocket launches from Canadian soil, strengthen national security, and create economic opportunity for Atlantic Canadians
Amid a more complex and unpredictable security environment, Canada is taking decisive actions to strengthen its security and sovereignty and to reinforce the resilience and long-term strength of the country. The Government of Canada is responding by rebuilding and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and strengthening the defence industrial base.
Through Canada's first Defence Industrial Strategy, the government is aligning long-term defence investments with industrial capability to support Canadian businesses, strengthen supply chains, and reinforce Canada's role as a trusted ally. These general investments will modernize Canada's defence ecosystem, create good, well-paying jobs, and ensure Canada has the tools and infrastructure needed to protect its security and operate independently in critical sectors like space.
In Atlantic Canada, this includes targeted investments that are supporting local companies, creating jobs, and building long-term industrial capacity. Today, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), announced a historic $200 million federal investment in a multi-user spaceport near Canso, Nova Scotia. A spaceport is a launch site for rockets carrying satellites into orbit. Once operational, the Canso facility will allow satellites to be launched directly from Canadian soil.
This investment is a 10‑year, $200‑million agreement to lease the dedicated space‑launch pad that will serve as the central foundation for a multi-user spaceport. Operated by Maritime Launch Services, this spaceport will support the operational needs of the Department of National Defence (DND), CAF, and the wider Government of Canada, while also offering ad hoc access to allies and partners.
Today's announcement marks a significant step forward in Canada's sovereign space program as outlined in Security, Sovereignty, Prosperity: Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy.
As part of this strategy, Canada's regional development agencies are delivering the Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) to support the growth and integration of businesses into domestic and international defence supply chains, and increase their industrial and innovation capacity.
Through its core programs and advocacy work, supported by targeted initiatives like the RDII, ACOA is supporting Atlantic Canadian businesses, turning regional strength into global opportunity. These investments are strengthening Atlantic Canada's industrial capacity, growing Nova Scotia's role in Canada's defence industry, and providing Canada with the capabilities it needs to respond to evolving global security challenges while supporting long-term economic growth.
