Canada Must Seize Space Opportunities Amid Growing Global Sector

Every October, Space Week embraces Canadians with an opportunity to reflect on the nation’s contributions to the cosmos. This year, it serves as a reminder of the urgent need for Canada to define its role in the expanding global space sector. With a potential for significant economic growth, Canada must act decisively to harness the benefits of this burgeoning field and ensure its leadership position.

The Canadian space sector is a vital component of the economy, employing more than 25,000 individuals, particularly in STEM fields, and contributing around $3.2 billion to the national GDP. Projections indicate that the global space sector could swell to $2 trillion per year by 2040. A recent report by Deloitte Canada suggests that Canada could develop a space sector worth $40 billion by that same year, assuming it captures the same market share it holds in the overall global economy.

Space encompasses more than exploration; it has become a critical domain for strategic infrastructure, impacting areas such as defence, Arctic sovereignty, climate monitoring, and disaster response. As the global space economy accelerates, other nations and private entities are pushing performance benchmarks higher. If Canada dawdles, it risks losing ground in key areas where it currently excels.

Space Week serves as a national moment to inspire innovation and encourage the next generation of scientists and engineers. Yet, this inspiration must translate into tangible actions backed by consistent policy, funding, and institutional frameworks. Connecting ambition with achievable outcomes requires a concentrated effort.

To effectively coordinate the various commercial, defence, and scientific activities in space, Canada should empower the National Space Council, as proposed in the 2024 federal budget. This council needs legal authority, accountability, and a long-term mandate that includes elected officials and decision-makers to steer Canada’s future in space.

Modernizing laws regarding spectrum management, launch liability, deorbiting, and orbital debris mitigation is essential. Aligning these regulations with international standards will foster sustainability and ensure that Canadian firms can compete on an equal footing. A rules-based approach combined with ambition will enable Canadian businesses to grow within a stable regulatory environment.

Collaboration with the space sector to enhance Canada’s national defence space industrial base is crucial. This includes increasing research and development programs and adopting commercial capabilities in the space arena. A recent Novaspace whitepaper cautions that Canadian space companies face significant disadvantages against international competitors who benefit from more robust government support.

Government leadership in early-stage projects, such as launch trials and Earth-observation platforms, is vital to demonstrate Canadian capabilities on a global scale. Public investment can unlock private capital, enabling firms to scale effectively. Supporting “dual-use” capabilities that meet both civilian and defence needs, particularly in the Arctic, is also necessary for maintaining sovereignty and monitoring resources.

A thriving space sector relies on a skilled workforce. Across Canada, equitable access to education, training, and internships must be prioritized. Strengthening partnerships among post-secondary institutions, government agencies, and industry will help cultivate a capable labor pool.

As the sector expands, decisions should be grounded in sustainable practices that prioritize long-term debris mitigation, orbital traffic management, and respect for international norms surrounding the peaceful use of space. The future of all nations depends on responsible stewardship of the cosmos.

Space Week is not merely a marketing opportunity; it should act as a launchpad for policy, investment, and collaboration. In 2025, Canada stands at a pivotal moment. With historic strengths in robotics and satellite systems, the nation is well-positioned to capture a meaningful share of the global space economy, delivering benefits to Canadians.

As students look up during this Space Week, they should envision not just rockets and satellites, but bright futures filled with opportunities for careers and community contributions. Canadians are encouraged to demand ambitious leadership that will propel the country into a future defined by innovation and exploration.