Operating context - Departmental Results Report 2024-2025
The Canadian Space Agency Act established the CSA to promote the peaceful use and development of space, to advance the knowledge of space through science, and to ensure that space science and technology provide social and economic benefits for Canadians. This remains the CSA's core mandate. Canada has a rich space heritage and an industrial base with capabilities that position the country among the global leaders in space operations, satellite communications, space robotics, space-based radar, and optical science instruments. Canada also excels in creating value-added Earth Observation (EO) and geospatial information products that support industry and Government in their decision-making.
The rules-based international order is evolving, leading to increased geopolitical instability. In the face of this dynamic, the Government is focused on shoring up Canada's sovereignty and security by prioritizing the development, growth and retention of industrial capacity in strategically important sectors that underpin both civil and defence Government initiatives; this includes the Canadian space sector. At the same time, there continues to be an increase in private sector-led space activities. This is because disruptive technologies have changed the economics of building, launching, and operating spacecraft; opening space to new and lucrative commercial business activities both globally and in Canada. Canada needs to ensure that its space industry can seize opportunities that arise from the increasingly dynamic space economy including the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that make up approximately 73 per cent of the sector.
Space missions are complex projects with long timelines, and they are sensitive to supply chain disruptions, specialized-labour shortages, and inflationary pressures, since components and materials are already high-cost and difficult to access. The CSA continues to focus on supporting Canada's innovative firms through targeted investments to develop and demonstrate key science and technology capabilities, while also ensuring the sector remains competitive and diverse. The CSA is also working with Government of Canada partners to ensure that industry has the regulatory certainty it needs to make its own investments in innovation and growth opportunities.
The CSA continues to focus on the implementation of the projects and missions that the Government has entrusted the Agency to deliver. At the same time, the Agency continues to support the development of future missions and technology concepts, both of which are a central part of how the CSA works with the private sector and international partners. As the Government of Canada review of government spending continues, the CSA is also optimizing spending in relatively lower impact business lines to be able to pursue new space activity ambitions that benefit Canadians.
Internationally, the CSA collaborates with other space organizations (NASA, the European Space Agency [ESA], etc.) and committees such as the Global Space Exploration Committee and the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites. These partnerships allow Canada to punch above its weight by participating in major missions that would otherwise not be feasible for our country, while also allowing us to leverage partner countries' capabilities that are key to tackling some of the most pressing global issues, such as climate change.
International collaboration presents some challenges and it requires making commitments that are often legally binding and that have long timelines. This creates risks associated with cost escalations when projects are delayed or accelerated by partners. Additionally, the changing geo-political landscape has brought international cooperation into sharper focus. Many traditional partners are becoming increasingly protectionist in their trade policy which, for Canada's export-oriented space sector, means finding new markets and strengthening existing relationships to maintain market access.
Lastly, space missions rely on specialized labour in the fields of science and engineering. Canada has a solid base of talent to support its space program, with approximately 67% of the workforce considered highly qualified personnel (HQP), meaning they hold at least a bachelor's degree, while 62% of the workforce is in a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) position. Gender diversity remains low in the sector, where men make up over 70% of employees, and women continue to account for only 18% of primary owners of space companies.