In a moment of renewed geopolitical competition and technological progress, the space industry holds boundless importance and strategic importance. Yet, as other nations race ahead, Canada is at risk of being left behind, squandering its chance to be a key player in this pivotal sector.
The global space economy is booming, valued at nearly $500 billion and growing at 9 percent annually, according to a 2023 McKinsey report. Launch costs have plummeted by 95 percent since 1980, driving an explosion of activity in the sector. Last year alone, the U.S. recorded over 145 orbital launches—five times as many as in 2017—with most occurring from the overburdened spaceports in Florida and California. This success has created a bottleneck, leaving countries and companies scrambling for launch capacity. Canada has an unparalleled opportunity to step in and lead.
Canada has a proud legacy in space, from the groundbreaking Canadarm that serviced the Hubble Space Telescope to Chris Hadfield’s command of the International Space Station. These milestones demonstrate what we can achieve when we invest in bold, visionary projects. Now, the next bold step is to support Canada’s first commercial spaceport—Maritime Launch Services in Nova Scotia.
The critical need for Canada’s own launch capability
Canada currently lacks domestic launch capabilities, leaving us entirely reliant on foreign providers for satellite deployment. This dependence not only restricts technological progress but also exposes Canada to external geopolitical and economic pressures. Without an independent launch capability, we risk being sidelined as other nations rapidly expand their space industries.
Developing a domestic spaceport is more than an economic opportunity—it’s a strategic necessity. It ensures that Canadian businesses, researchers, and defence agencies have reliable, cost-effective access to space, reducing dependency on foreign decisions and constraints.
Establishing this infrastructure will bolster our aerospace industry, attract international investment, and spur innovation in satellite communications, Earth observation, and national security applications. Moreover, having launch capability solidifies Canada’s position as a global space player, ensuring our long-term competitiveness in this rapidly evolving sector.
The U.S. is actively seeking reliable partners to address its launch capacity constraints. Recent agreements, such as the U.S.-Norway Technology Safeguards Agreement, highlight America’s urgency in securing alternative launch sites as American spaceports struggle to keep pace with demand. Establishing Canada’s launch capabilities provides a natural solution, alleviating growing bottlenecks in the U.S., where high demand and limited spaceport availability are straining launch schedules. If Canada doesn’t step forward quickly, other nations will fill this gap, reducing our relevance in the space economy. This is a rare window of opportunity, and delay risks ceding leadership to global competitors who are aggressively investing in their own launch infrastructure.
By offering a trusted and allied launch alternative, Canada can help ease this congestion, allowing both countries to deploy critical assets more efficiently. This cooperation strengthens North American security, fosters economic interdependence, and reinforces Canada’s role as a reliable partner in advancing global space capabilities. With Maritime Launch’s spaceport, Canada is uniquely positioned to support U.S. needs while enhancing its own sovereignty, competitiveness, and leadership in the space economy.
Strengthening Canada-U.S. relations under the Trump administration
Securing Canada’s own launch capabilities is an opportunity to better position the country in trade and defence negotiations with the Trump administration. Yet such a strategic asset isn’t driven by market forces alone. There’s historically been a role for public policy to catalyse commercial investments that in turn can generate high-tech jobs and broader economic growth. Spaceport Nova Scotia’s reliance on cross-border supply chains ensures that U.S. satellite manufacturers and aerospace suppliers directly benefit from Canada’s launch capabilities, fostering economic interdependence that can serve as leverage in bilateral negotiations.
Moreover, Canada’s launch industry enhances NORAD’s modernization efforts by enabling the timely deployment of critical Arctic surveillance assets and reducing America’s dependencies on foreign providers. This aligns directly with the Trump administration’s emphasis on securing Arctic sovereignty and bolstering North American defence infrastructure.
The project also supports the Trump administration’s broader economic agenda, which prioritizes reducing supply chain vulnerabilities and strengthening alliances with trusted partners. Spaceport Nova Scotia positions Canada as an indispensable player in advancing these goals, ensuring both economic and strategic benefits flow across the border.
A strategic imperative
Leadership in space isn’t just an economic opportunity; it is a strategic imperative. Space technology drives advancements in communications, Earth observation, and national security. The ability to launch satellites from Canadian soil ensures that we are not wholly dependent on foreign providers, protecting critical infrastructure and maintaining sovereignty in an increasingly space-reliant world. Neglecting this sector would be a catastrophic mistake.
Construction is already underway at Maritime Launch’s spaceport in Nova Scotia. According to a recent Conference Board of Canada report, building and operating Spaceport Nova Scotia will provide a major economic boost, adding $171 million to Canada’s economy during construction and $300 million annually once operational. It will also create over 1,600 jobs during construction and more than 1,200 ongoing jobs—many based in Nova Scotia.
A call to action
This isn’t about reckless spending or unbridled ambition; it’s about making prudent investments in our future. The time for talk is over. Ottawa must act now to support Maritime Launch and ensure Canada’s place in the global space race. By aligning with the Trump administration’s strategic priorities and leveraging Canada’s unique capabilities, we can solidify our leadership role in this burgeoning industry.
Canada’s future in space is bright—if we have the courage to reach for it.
