Space Canada's 2024 Year in Review
As we approach the end of 2024, we reflect on an incredible year for Canada’s space sector and our community at Space Canada. Here are some highlights of the year’s milestones:
- A Major Step Forward: National Space Council Announced - The 2024 federal budget marked a historic moment for Canada’s space sector with the commitment to create a National Space Council. This milestone reflects a renewed commitment from the government to prioritize space. Space Canada is proud to have played a key role in advocating for this initiative.
- Growing the Space Canada Ecosystem - Membership in Space Canada grew steadily throughout 2024, with nearly 100 companies and allied organizations now members of the association. Together, we will strengthen Canada’s space ecosystem and continue to build on the impact of Canada's space industry.
- Record-Breaking Engagement - SpaceBound 2024 brought together around 500 participants, including industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders from across Canada and beyond. The sold-out event highlighted the sector's shared commitment to advancing the Canadian space industry.
- Advocacy in Action - This year, our advocacy efforts focused on strengthening relationships with government and industry leaders. Space Day on the Hill and SpaceBound 2024 provided valuable platforms to discuss the future of Canada’s space sector and its potential to drive innovation and economic growth.
- Looking Ahead - In 2025, Space Canada will focus on building stronger connections across the space sector and supporting commercialization opportunities for our members. With the National Space Council now announced, we will work to ensure it meets the sector’s expectations and drives meaningful progress for Canada’s space industry.
Thank you for your continued support as we work to elevate Canada’s role in the global space community!
About Space Canada
With over 75 leading Canadian space innovators as members from coast-to-coast - including startups, large global companies, academic institutions, and not-for-profit organizations – Space Canada advocates for the strengthening of the Canadian space ecosystem.
- Canada’s space sector contributes nearly $3 billion to the Canadian economy every year, sustaining approximately 25,000 high-paying jobs, largely in STEM.
- Jobs in the space sector pay on average 64% more than the Canadian average, and 32% more than other jobs in the aerospace sector.
- The space sector is R&D intensive, with over $500 million of annual investment. This is 18 times higher than the R&D investment of other manufacturing sectors.