Good afternoon, Chair and committee members. Thank you for the invitation to speak about the Canadian Space Agency and its role in Canada's space program.
My name is Maja Djukic and I'm the director general of policy at the Canadian Space Agency. I'm joined by my colleague Guennadi Kroupnik, director general of the space utilization program.
The agency is the federal agency responsible for Canada's civil space program. We work with our colleagues at the agency to promote the development and peaceful use of space for the good of Canadians.
Under the Canadian Space Agency Act, we are responsible for coordinating the government's space policies and programs, leading activities to advance space research and the applications of space technologies, promoting the adoption of space technology by Canadian industry and encouraging commercialization of Canada's investments in space.
These functions require that we work with our colleagues across federal departments, including the Department of National Defence.
Space is important, and not only for its role in our security and sovereignty: In 2021, Canada's space sector generated $4.9 billion in revenues and contributed $2.8 billion to Canada's GDP. It directly employed over 11,600 Canadians, the majority in highly specialized STEM occupations, and supported more than 12,000 additional jobs in the wider economy.
Canada's space firms are also highly innovative, investing $547 million in business-led R and D in 2021.
Many of the activities that the Canadian Space Agency undertakes as the lead on Canada's civil space program contribute to safety, security and defence.
These dual-use assets underscore the importance of ensuring the resilience of space capabilities.
The CSA's three program areas—space exploration, space science and technology, and space utilization—align with our core mandate and functions.
Under the space exploration program, we lead Canada's participation in the international space station, our participation in the NASA-led Artemis program and scientific missions to explore our solar system.
Our space science and technology program helps strengthen Canadian capabilities in disciplines that are important to both civil and defence space objectives.
Our space utilization program, which Mr. Kroupnik is responsible for, ensures that Canada has the satellite capabilities to support our safety and security, to respond to economic opportunities, and to support scientific understanding of changes in our environment.
The RADARSAT Constellation Mission is a flagship example of a dual-use asset led by the civil space program and supports a wide range of federal responsibilities. It monitors the entire Canadian land mass and oceans on a daily basis, and the entire Canadian Arctic up to four times per day.
The Department of National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces and our allies are the largest users of RCM data. They use this data for maritime and Arctic surveillance, real-time ship detection and in support of deployed operations overseas.
Ensuring the resilience of the RCM means protecting the Canadians who benefit from the services that it supports. In fact, we are currently developing an additional satellite to extend the operational life of the RCM. We are also in the early stages of developing a next-generation satellite system to succeed the RCM. This initiative is called RADARSAT+, and it will ensure continuity of essential satellite earth observation data to numerous federal organizations so that they can continue delivering services to Canadians.
Thank you again for the invitation to speak today. We’re glad to answer any questions you may have.