Science and Research Committee on May 25th, 2026

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

I call this meeting to order.

Welcome to meeting number 37 of the Standing Committee on Science and Research. We are meeting today to have a briefing session with the president of the Canadian Space Agency.

Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. For those on Zoom, at the bottom of your screen you can select the appropriate channel for interpretation—floor, English or French.

I would like to remind witnesses that committee members may ask questions in either French or English. If you will need interpretation, please take a moment to prepare your earpiece and select, in advance, the listening channel you need to take full advantage of the time allotted for the questions and answers.

I would remind you that all comments should be addressed through the chair.

With that, I would like to welcome our witnesses for today from the Canadian Space Agency. We are joined by Ms. Campbell, the president. We also have Dr. Piedboeuf, senior vice-president, space programs. We are also joined by Stéphanie Durand, vice-president, policy, communications and strategic planning, and Josée Saint-Marseille, acting vice-president, corporate strategy and innovation, and chief financial officer.

Ms. Campbell, welcome. You will have five minutes for your opening remarks. We will then get into the rounds of questions.

Thank you for coming before the committee today. Please go ahead.

[Lisa Campbell, President, Canadian Space Agency]

Good afternoon, Madam Chair and honourable members of the committee.

The Canadian Space Agency, or CSA, was established in 1990 under the Canadian Space Agency Act to promote the peaceful use and development of space, advance the knowledge of space through science, and ensure that space science and technology provide social and economic benefits for Canadians.

The CSA is responsible for coordinating Canada's civil space program. When the CSA began, Canada was one of about a dozen spacefaring nations. Now, over 90 countries have a public space agency or program.

The CSA supports a wide range of government priorities, including economic development through innovation, emergency management, Arctic and maritime awareness, environmental monitoring and scientific discovery. Working closely with Canadian industry, academia, other Government of Canada organizations and international partners in space science and technology development, the CSA advances space research and innovation.

The CSA delivers on its mandate through three main programs.

Space exploration includes human spaceflight initiatives such as the recent successful Artemis II mission to deep space and flights to the International Space Station, as well as scientific missions to explore our solar system.

These missions create valuable opportunities for Canadian companies and researchers. Canada's contributions to missions such as the James Webb Space Telescope ensure Canadian researchers have access to the world's most powerful telescope, a time machine looking back 13.5 billion years to the beginning of the universe. Canada's robotics on the International Space Station are integral to the daily operations of our microgravity laboratory, helping maintain the station, supporting astronauts and logistics.

The CSA's astronaut, Colonel Jeremy Hansen, had a seat aboard the recent Artemis II mission as a result of Canada's advanced space robotics.

Space utilization, which is our second main area of work, develops and operates space assets that support over 40 services to Canadians. Earth observation satellites support climate research, natural resource management, maritime surveillance, disaster response, defence and Arctic sovereignty.

The CSA's RADARSAT Constellation Mission, launched in 2019, is Canada's sovereign earth observation space system. It enables other government departments, like the Department of National Defence or Environment and Climate Change Canada, to deliver their mandates and provide critical services more effectively.

Following recent investments, the CSA is actively engaged in adding a fourth satellite for the resilience of this critical system, and we're working with the Canadian space sector on the next generation of earth observation capabilities.

Space science and technology, the third main program, provides targeted funding to help grow and diversify Canada's dynamic space sector. It is very popular, and the CSA regularly receives three qualified proposals for everyone that we can fund from our current envelope.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

There is some interpretation problem. I'll suspend the meeting for a minute to figure it out.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

I call the meeting to order.

I'm sorry. Please go ahead.

[Lisa Campbell]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Our funding programs generate strong returns on investment: for every dollar the CSA invests through its R and D support programs, Canadian companies generate more than three dollars in additional follow-on revenue.

With more than 200 organizations, the Canadian space sector is an economic engine, contributing $3.8 billion to Canada's GDP, pulling in $5 billion in revenue and supporting over 28,000 jobs in 2024.

Like most countries, space procurements in Canada are exempt from global trade agreements, which allows the application of policies—such as Canadian content and, now, buy Canadian—to mature those technologies. This is important because about half of the revenues for Canadian companies come from global markets, and because it has enabled Canada to develop expertise in space robotics, synthetic aperture radar satellite systems and much more.

Space is increasingly competitive, congested and contested. There are over 40,000 pieces of space debris in low Earth orbit, and the CSA and other organizations around the world closely monitor debris in order to avoid collisions with spacecraft. We work with others around the world on the rules and norms of engagement in space, as irresponsible conduct by one poses risks for all in this precious environment.

The CSA's systems are highly secure, and increasingly targeted, requiring continuous investments in cybersecurity and resilience. As space solutions and services increasingly power our daily lives, CSA works in close collaboration with the Department of National Defence, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Natural Resources Canada and many organizations, in supporting the development of space technologies and sovereign capabilities.

To conclude, space is inherently international, with the harsh and lethal environment leading to high costs, thus forcing collaboration. The CSA has a long-standing relationship with counterparts in the United States, Japan and many other countries. Since 1979, we've been a co-operating state member of the 27-country European Space Agency, gaining access to important missions for Canadian companies.

The CSA ensures that space activities serve the public interest by advancing science, supporting government operations, strengthening the economy, delivering benefits to Canadians and inspiring the next generation.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Thank you.

With that, we will start our first round of questioning with six minutes each. We will begin with MP Baldinelli.

Please go ahead. You will have six minutes.

[Tony Baldinelli, Conservative, Niagara Falls—Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Again, thank you to the witnesses for being with us this afternoon.

I want to begin by saying thank you to all of you and, in fact, to the entire Canadian Space Agency team, for the success of the Artemis II mission and the involvement of Jeremy Hansen, the first Canadian to go in orbit around the moon. However, with saying that, as members of His Majesty's loyal opposition, we do have some questions that we'd like to ask in order to safeguard those dollars that are being spent by the CSA.

First of all, I'd like to go to you, Ms. Campbell. Canada's defence industrial strategy identified space as a key sector in which Canada should build sovereign capacity. In your role as president of the Canadian Space Agency, what can you tell us about the spaceport project in Nova Scotia?

[Lisa Campbell]

Thank you for the comments on the Artemis II mission, which was the result of not only our extraordinarily capable astronaut but also decades of investment in Canadian space robotics. The reason we had a seat on that flight was the investments in Canada's leading-edge technology and know-how. We're the best in the world in space robotics. It's not only the technology; we also have 25 years of experience in operating robotics in space. We're very sought-after. That's what gets us invited to international space missions.

For most of recent space history, the world has been dependent on a few industrial players to get to space. I think last year, 85% of the mass launch to space went to one company, a United States company called SpaceX. Most of the planet is trying to diversify so that there's choice and competition. In fact, the space launch in the United States right now is quite crowded. They have mostly coastal spaceports. It's very crowded. Canada has a lot more land. We have access to polar orbits. We have coasts over which it's safe to launch from. The Canadian Space Agency has been investing for some years now in launch technologies, reusable rockets and hybrid rockets.

The government has recently said that there will be investments in space launch from Canadian territory. We welcome it for the reason that it gives us resilience and some options.

[Tony Baldinelli, Conservative, Niagara Falls—Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON]

You led me to this next question with regard to the specific identified project of the spaceport in Nova Scotia. Was the Canadian Space Agency ever consulted with regard to the selection of this particular site?

[Lisa Campbell]

We were not on the selection of that particular site, but we do have some history with them. In 2021 we were present and signed an MOU with the then State Space Agency of Ukraine. The head of it was a gentleman by the name of Volodymyr Taftai. At the time, the goal was to use Ukraine's proven mid-sized rockets in collaboration with the spaceport in Nova Scotia.

At the Canadian Space Agency, we are agnostic. We will help fund technologies that support access to space and we welcome choice with space, but we weren't involved in the selection.

[Tony Baldinelli, Conservative, Niagara Falls—Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON]

Is the $200-million fund, which is allocated over, I believe, a five-year period, from the Canadian Space Agency? Is it through DND? Did you have any role in providing advice on the proper selection of a site to be identified?

[Lisa Campbell]

It's not Canadian Space Agency funding. The Canadian Space Agency was not involved—this is to my knowledge, so I'm checking with colleagues here—in the selection of a site. However, we do welcome increased choice and options in Canada for space launch.

[Tony Baldinelli, Conservative, Niagara Falls—Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON]

Would you not agree that it would have wise for the government, if they were going to commit $200 million towards this project, to have sought the opinion and input of the Canadian Space Agency before allocating those dollars towards this project?

[Lisa Campbell]

I'm just going to make sure that.... The defence industrial strategy, as was mentioned, identified commercial space launch as a critical capability for our sovereignty. If there's an issue with our satellites, we will need to get there rapidly. As far as the CSA is aware, a number of companies are interested in commercial space launch in Canada, but it's a challenging, long-term investment. It requires some support from government.

[Tony Baldinelli, Conservative, Niagara Falls—Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON]

Just to clarify, the CSA had no involvement or advice to provide to DND on the selection of this particular site. That was the sole decision of the Minister of National Defence and cabinet with regard to the selection of that site. CSA never made an approval or a recommendation on that Canso, Nova Scotia, spaceport site.

[Lisa Campbell]

The CSA has provided $7 million in funding between 2017 and 2025 for launch technologies through our space technology—

[Tony Baldinelli, Conservative, Niagara Falls—Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON]

But no advice—that's what I'm asking. Did they seek your input directly on the selection of this specific site that they chose to provide $200 million for and actually backdate the contract for? I believe it's $20 million over 10 years, for example. You would think that, surely to goodness, the government would seek the input of the Canadian Space Agency on the selection of a spaceport for launch capabilities before allocating those types of dollars.

[Lisa Campbell]

If I may, the Canadian Space Agency was involved with Maritime Launch Services in 2021, signing an MOU with the State Space Agency of Ukraine to collaborate and ensure access to space from Canada. The CSA has also engaged with Defence Research and Development Canada to support the $105-million “launch the north” challenge. As part of this challenge, three Canadian companies—NordSpace, Canada Rocket Company and Reaction Dynamics—are advancing launch prototypes, with initial launches targeted for 2028.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

I'm sorry for interrupting, but the time is up.

[Tony Baldinelli, Conservative, Niagara Falls—Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON]

It's 2028...? Okay. Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Thank you.

We will now go to MP Nathan for six minutes.

[Juanita Nathan, Liberal, Pickering—Brooklin, ON]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Through the chair, congratulations on the successful Artemis II mission. It's a wonderful moment for all Canadians to rally behind our very own Jeremy Hansen and Jenni Gibbons.

I think it may be helpful to break down what space research really is. Can you speak to how research in space makes a difference here on earth?

[Lisa Campbell]

Yes, and we're very lucky that we have here beside me the vice-president of space programs, who has decades more experience in this than I do. I will ask him to please jump in.

There are many areas where our research in space helps us here on earth. There is earth observation, for example. At its beginning, when Canada first launched earth observation satellites, we had a program to give funding at the same time as earth observation data, because no one knew how to use it. We would give data, plus funding, and say, “Please figure out how to use this.”

Now, we have an industry, a commercial earth observation industry, and they are generating a return on investment themselves. Some of them don't even have spacecraft. They just manipulate the data to give value-added products, and that has applications in a range of domains: critical mineral extraction, supervision of mining operations, weather applications definitely, environment, biodiversity, keeping ports clean...you name it.

Space exploration—the harsh environment of space—teaches us a lot about human health. Many of our applications in science on the International Space Station have returned benefits here on earth. The body ages in space. It's not particularly good for you to go to space. The first thing that happens is that all the fluids in your body go up to your face. You might have seen it in our astronauts. It's bad for your eyes and bad for bones and increases the risk of cancer, diabetes and a number of other things that we face here on earth. By supporting human health and doing experiments in human health, we can learn a lot about how to prolong human life and quality of life here on earth.

Technologies are also better. If they can survive in the lethal environment of space, they will be much more robust here on earth. An example of that is our space robotics. Those spinoff benefits have been in neurosurgery and also cancer detection.

[Juanita Nathan, Liberal, Pickering—Brooklin, ON]

Does anybody want to add anything more?

[Jean-Claude Piedboeuf, Senior Vice-President, Space Programs, Canadian Space Agency]

Yes. I will say that the first satellite that Canada sent into space was to study the ionosphere, and it was to understand how we can better communicate in Canada. Really, it was the science that helped communications in Canada, and then we launched the first satellite in satellite communication.

We have another example with SCISAT, which was launched to study the ozone layer. It is still in operation after more than 20 years of operation and is still making new discoveries in how the high atmosphere is behaving.

There are many examples like that.