Overview
- Industry Minister Mélanie Joly announced the expanded commitment at the SpaceBound 2025 conference in Ottawa.
- The C$528.5 million will be spent over three to five years through European Space Agency programs.
- The government says the investment targets Canadian-made technologies in satellite communications, Earth observation, space exploration, positioning, navigation and timing, and space situational awareness for civilian and defence uses.
- Canada, the only non-European ESA partner since 1979, expects industrial returns through ESA’s geographic return principle, with officials citing more than $3 in follow-on sales for every $1 awarded in ESA contracts.
- Specific program subscriptions will be decided at ESA’s Ministerial Council on Nov. 26–27 in Bremen, followed by a Canadian Space Agency industry briefing on Dec. 11.