Jacob Mantle

“Mr. Speaker, I was provided the question that was posed, and that is what tonight is supposed to be about: reflection on the question that was posed. The question the member posed the other day in the House was all about the spaceport and why the government is investing in a spaceport. Unlike the Conservative Party, we recognize that the spaceport is not optional. It is mandatory. When the Prime Minister or the government talks about sovereignty, having the ability to launch is part of that. Canada is in a great position to work with the European Union and others in being able to launch satellites or other objects into space. This is critical, the ability not only to launch but to expand the industry here in Canada. We are talking about the potential of literally hundreds of millions or billions of dollars of future investments, developing an industry that is there already and advancing it significantly. I think of Magellan in Winnipeg, which manufactures and produces satellites. We cannot put those into orbit. Canada does not have the ability today to launch military satellites, if doing so was deemed to be in our interest. We would have to approach other nations. We are creating a launch pad, and now we are also adding onto it one that, I believe, is in Newfoundland. The member might want to do a quick Google search on that. He will find that from a military perspective and, in particular the one we are talking about tonight, from a civilian perspective and in light of potential contracts, both internally and coming into Canada from other nations, it is in Canadians’ best interest. It is going to develop that industry so companies like Magellan and others in our nation will be able to advance in that whole spectrum of development and manufacturing. It will allow Canada to set its priorities. We will not have to go to SpaceX or any other foreign entity in order to do the things we believe are important as a nation. Also, this is a growing industry worldwide. Why would we not want to take advantage of the technology we have already and advance it to the next level? Space sovereignty is very important. It is a part of the government’s agenda. We will continue to move in that direction because it will give us not only sovereignty but the advancement of technology and growth of our workforce by providing good-quality jobs. I would invite my colleague across the way to come to Winnipeg, visit Magellan and look at some of the things we can develop and have the potential to put into space. Some are already going into space, but that cannot be done from Canada. We have to go to other nations to get that done. I believe having the space launching pad will be a positive thing for all of us.”