Today, the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, affirmed Canada's commitment to space security and innovation at Space Canada's Space Bound conference, which brought together leaders from government, industry, and academia to discuss the future of space.
The Minister emphasized the critical role space plays in the defence of Canada. From satellite communications and positioning-navigation-and-timing systems to Earth-observation sensors, space-based technologies are essential for connecting Canadians and safeguarding the country.
The Minister recognized the importance of modernizing how Canada delivers space capabilities in support of national interests spanning defence, science, industry, and innovation. Budget 2025 proposes to provide $182.6 million over three years to the Department of National Defence starting in 2025-26 to establish a sovereign space launch capability.
Canada's space legacy spans more than six decades, beginning with the launch of Alouette I in 1962. Today, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) continue to advance space capabilities through initiatives such as Sapphire-Canada's first dedicated military space-surveillance satellite-and through close collaboration with partners such as North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), the Five Eyes, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the Combined Space Operations Initiative.
