Nine Canadian Space companies have come together to launch Space Space, a national industry association representing Canada’s space innovators. Brian Gallant, former Premier of New Brunswick, will function as the CEO of Space Canada. Top on the wishlist of the association is a National Space Council akin to what the United States and United Kingdom currently have.
The nine Canadian Space companies include MDA, GHGSat, NorthStar Earth & Space, Telesat, Calian, Magellan Aerospace, Maritime Launch, Mission Control and Spacebridge, thus covering a wide range of in terms of building and implementing innovative new solutions – from space-based communications, space exploration, environmental monitoring and Earth observation, among others.
The association aspires to expand its membership to include the full breadth of companies in the Space sector and associated ecosystem from across the country.
“It is such an honour to lead Space Canada as CEO and to work with some of the most visionary and innovative leaders in the global space sector,” Gallant said in a statement.
“Investments in space create high-quality STEM jobs of the future and play a significant role in addressing economic, societal and planetary challenges like climate change. Space technology monitors our land ecosystems and coastlines, supports disaster relief and protects our oceans and forests. Moreover, space can close the digital divide, particularly in our Northern, remote and rural communities, and enhance our national security.”
Space Canada vision
Space Canada envisages that Canada repositions itself in a highly strategic sector like Space, and takes a leadership in the ongoing global Space race. A formal National Space Council could provide the right platform and direction, and will also pave to this the association also looks to pave the way for strengthening collaboration between government and private sector, and prioritize Space. The association envisages such a Space Council to be chaired by the Prime Minister, on the lines of the UK, with relevant cabinet ministers and industry leaders as members.
Space Canada represents Space innovators and allied industries in the country to convey the value of space technology, research, investment and results to domestic and international audiences, and to position Canada at the forefront of the highly strategic global New Space Economy, the statement added.
Telesat CEO Dan Goldberg will function as the chair of the inaugural Board of Directors of the association, while MDA CEO Mike Greenley will act as the Vice Chair, and Ewan Reid, CEO of Mission Control Space Services, functions as the Treasurer.
Pointing out that governments all around the world are prioritizing and investing heavily in the sector, Goldberg said, “Canada has long been a leader in the Space sector and is well positioned to capture the explosive growth in the industry to grow our economy and create high quality jobs. Now is the time to be ambitious, work together and position Canada at the forefront of the New Space Economy.”
According to Greenley, from small to large, Canada’s space companies are looking to position the sector as a driver of growth, jobs, innovation, intellectual property and exports that will contribute to a future for our country that knows no bounds. “It is time to re-establish Canada’s leadership in space on the world stage in collaboration with government, which plays a key role in space as a developer, owner, operator and regulator of space systems, as a funding partner, investor and anchor customer to innovative Canadian space companies.”
Canada is well known for expertise in space systems manufacturing in areas such as robotics, satellite communications, Earth observation, and data systems. In addition to employing thousands of highly qualified people across Canada, the Space sector contributes CAD 2.5 billion to Canada’s GDP and generated CAD 5.7 billion in revenues, as per the State of the Canadian Space Sector 2019. As much as 94 percent of Canadian Space companies are SMEs and account for 43 percent of Canadian Space sector revenues.
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