Greg McLean

“Mr. Speaker, the question is not whether Canada should invest in a sovereign space launch capability. The question is, rather, how to develop this capability and the role it will play in strengthening Canada’s national defence and, indeed, our economic future. The defence industrial strategy marks a major turning point in how Canada approaches defence procurement, innovation and industrial development. At the heart of this strategy, space launch is clearly defined as a sovereign capability essential to Canada’s long-term security and autonomy. Last year, the Department of National Defence assessed Canadian options for developing a sovereign launch capability. In doing so, DND considered a range of factors, including regulatory readiness, the suitability of various locations, alignment with defence research and development, Canada’s launch the north rocket challenge, the ability to launch payloads into orbit and the proximity to military and industrial assets. The objective is straightforward. We want to establish a sovereign launch capability as quickly and effectively as possible to support Canadian industry and avoid unnecessary delays and costs along the way. We are also committing to reduce our reliance on out-of-country providers as we strengthen Canada’s strategic autonomy. That is why our government selected a partnership-based model. Perhaps the clearest demonstration of Canada’s commitment to a sovereign space capability is through our partnership with Maritime Launch Services. Canada has secured access to an existing launch site near Canso, Nova Scotia, which I know very well, through a 10-year, $200-million agreement signed in January. The agreement also supports the construction of critical launch infrastructure and essential services required to establish domestic launch capability. We believe this approach will reduce delivery timelines, mitigate risk and provide a more cost-effective path to achieve results. Beyond its defence and security benefits, the agreement includes contract milestones, reporting requirements and oversight provisions that link continued funding to demonstrated results. At its core, the investment is about strengthening Canada’s sovereignty, enhancing defence readiness and building long-term economic opportunity. In fact, the contract requires that at least 90% of these public funds, or $180 million, be spent with Canadian businesses or in Canada. This ensures that the vast majority of funding is invested and reinvested in Canadian workers, Canadian companies, Canadian expertise and Canada’s defence industrial base. The member also raised the question of timing of the lease, the signing date of the contract and the payment of $20 million for the first year of the term, so let me speak about that as well. We took each of these steps for two reasons: first, to accelerate the spaceport’s path to fully operational status; and second, to enable the launch the north rocket research and development activities to begin as early as next summer. This project is part of a broad effort to expand our space capabilities in order to support the Canadian Armed Forces and defend Canada. All of this is done while ensuring that Canadians benefit and Canada benefits from economic spinoffs. I will conclude by saying we are at a moment in time when we want to be not just actively involved in the space industry but leading it. It is investments like the ones I mentioned and the strategy that we have put in place that will enable us to lead the way. We do that with partners, with provinces, municipalities, the private sector and first nations, and that is what this project is all about.”