The Canadian space sector has immense economic potential, and in addition, offers a potential solution to the challenges of maintaining Arctic sovereignty and could also help the country meet its NATO spending targets, says Brian Gallant, CEO of Space Canada.

To “stand on our own,” Canada should pursue Prime Minister Mark Carney’s commitment to hit the NATO defense spending target of two per cent of the national GDP, Gallant said last week on former Conservative cabinet minister Lisa Raitt’s podcast, The Raitt Stuff. Space Canada, which represents more than 90 “space innovators” including companies and academic institutions, can “help immensely” by improving Arctic protection, in which space-based capabilities would be “pivotal.”

Exploration is a big part of what gives the space sector its cache, but there are many other exciting, commercially viable aspects, including earth observation, which aids in the protection of our oceans and coastlines, and helps first responders deal with natural disasters, Gallant said. It’s also about protecting the Arctic, and about space mining eventually, “which will be a huge economic driver.”

Gallant says the lessons learned delivering health care in space can be applied to taking care of people in remote regions not only in Canada but around the world. The space sector can also help develop telecommunications solutions for remote areas and Indigenous communities.

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