Madam Speaker, I will be sharing my time with my colleague, the hon. member for Broadview-Greenwood.
I am very pleased to take part in this debate, because I finally have the opportunity to set the record straight.
The Canadian space program, which has been running for 35 years already, has allowed Canada to carve out an enviable position among developed countries. Canadians have reaped benefits from it that have improved their quality of life, if only in terms of satellite communications.
It is with much pride that I point out the excellent work of the Canadian Space Agency, one of the most prestigious federal institutions which now has its headquarters firmly established in Saint-Hubert, near Montreal.
As a member of the government, I am proud to be associated with this success and to have been part of the agency's accomplishments since my arrival in the House.
The construction of its headquarters in Saint-Hubert, an investment of almost $80 million, has created, either directly or indirectly, almost 1,000 person-years. According to studies that were done to quantify the economic spinoffs of having the agency in Saint-Hubert, it is estimated that it has injected about $75 million into the Quebec economy annually, both in terms of salaries and the purchase of products and services.
These are the figures, but one of the main economic benefits of having the agency in Quebec is its impact on that province's industrial base. Here are some concrete examples: the development of new cutting-edge technologies in strategic sectors such as communications and data processing software; the international reputation consolidating Montreal's status as a global player; and the establishment in Saint-Hubert of other space facilities such as the RADARSAT ground control station, the control centre for the mobile servicing system and the astronaut and international space station operator training system.
One of the main social advantages is the training of the hundred or so students who come every year to specialize in high-tech areas.
Since 1988, Quebec has received over 35 per cent of the total budget of the Canadian space program, which means that $540 million worth of contracts are awarded to Quebec-based companies. Quebecers are among the main beneficiaries of the Canadian space program.
Spar Aerospace alone, which is located in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue in my riding, has received a significant portion of the contracts for the production of MSAT and RADARSAT satellites, which testifies to the excellence of Quebec engineers. RADARSAT, which was launched into orbit on November 4, is the result of more than 15 years of co-operation and political will. RADARSAT also ushers in a new global industry. The resulting global trade will contribute to the development of a new natural resources management and environmental monitoring business. And it is mainly in Quebec that this great project has materialized.
And that is not all. At present, a feasibility study is under way to gather all that is required to implement Phase II of RADARSAT. But what must be pointed out here is the participation of a new player, namely SNC-Lavalin, whose reputation as the world leader in large scale project management is firmly established.
The Canadian Space Program also promoted the diversification of several Quebec businesses, which have gained a world-wide reputation of excellence. Take these four for example: CAE Electronics, of Ville-Saint-Laurent, with contracts totalling $90 million; MPB Technologies, of Montreal, whose contracts are worth in excess of $16 million; FRE Composites, of Saint-André, with a total contract worth of $11 million; and BONEM, of Quebec City, with contracts totalling $4 million.
The need to adjust to new realities brought about by market globalization and by the growing importance of a knowledge-based economy represents a major challenge. In this context, it is important that we be able to define new partnerships between learning institutions and industry. Like the other provinces, Quebec has displayed impeccable leadership. Fifteen years ago, there were no university programs to prepare for the future in high-technology sectors. Through an initiative of the Centre d'adaptation de la main-d'oeuvre aérospatiale du Québec, post-graduate programs meeting international standards were developed.
Today, a particularly innovative university-industry partnership has resulted in a master's degree in aerospace engineering being offered in five Quebec universities. This training strategy is proving to be very effective in enabling Quebec to keep playing a lead role in the space industry.
To invest in the space industry is to invest in our children. This vision born 35 years ago had not died; it keeps making Quebecers and all Canadians prouder and prouder.