Good morning, Minister, and good morning to the other witnesses. Thank you for being here today.
Today is, of course, a proud day for Canadians, because the Dextre robot has docked with the space station today. This success is built in the footsteps of the Canadarm, an internationally recognized symbol of Canadian ingenuity and expertise in space technology.
It was also a proud day in December with the launch of the RADARSAT-2, when the government claimed this was key to our Arctic sovereignty--that while the previous government had not ensured Arctic sovereignty, this government would, and that RADARSAT-2 was essential to doing so. RADARSAT-2 has been called the jewel of the Canadian space industry.
Sadly, at this same moment when Canadians are celebrating a new high in our world-class space industry sector, our government is contemplating this sale to an American arms company.
Several weeks ago I tabled a motion to invite you, Mr. Minister, to come to this committee, and I also tabled a motion to have expert witnesses come before our committee and discuss various elements of this sale. The witnesses we've heard from expressed a number of concerns about this sale: ethics, sovereignty, jobs in the sector, and the future of the Canadian space industry. They expressed concern about the lack of the government's leadership in the future of this industry.
With all of these extensive investments Canadians have made--strategic investments in the future of Canada's space sector--how can we just sell this off to the largest U.S. weapons manufacturer? How is this good for Canadian sovereignty or Canadian jobs, and how is this even just good value for the Canadian dollar?