Where is this leading? Cdn. Space Station Program, Investment Partnerships, Business, Etc.

Read the following and make an educated guess as to where this is leading -- foreign investment partners, regulatory reform , RADARSAT-1 and RADARSAT-2, mention of the North, aboriginal, business and tourism -- and more.

Performance Report For the period ending March 31, 2004, CANADIAN SPACE AGENCY David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry

Table of Contents

SECTION 1: Message
1.1 Minister's Portfolio Message
The Industry Portfolio:
* Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency [1]
* Business Development Bank of Canada [2]
* Economic Development Agency of Canada for Quebec Regions [1]
* Canadian Space Agency
* Canadian Tourism Commission [2]
* Competition Tribunal
* Copyright Board Canada
* Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation [1] [2]
* Industry Canada
* National Research Council Canada
* Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
* Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
* Standards Council of Canada [2]
* Statistics Canada
* Western Economic Diversification Canada [1]

[1] Not a Portfolio member for the purposes of the Main Estimates.
[2] Not required to submit a Departmental Performance Report.

The Government of Canada has a crucial role to play in supporting a dynamic and innovative 21st century economy. [. . . . ]

The Industry Portfolio, comprising 15 departments and agencies, plays a significant role in improving Canada's innovation performance. . . . initiatives such as the Industrial Research Assistance Program and Aboriginal Business Canada . . .

. . . the research and commercialization agenda . . . . we need to work in partnership with our stakeholders to encourage innovation and build our commercialization capacity. [what stakeholders?]

To build on this, we must create a world-class business environment - one with sound marketplace frameworks that encourage entrepreneurial activity while removing obstacles to effective business growth. In today's global economy, we must ensure that our regulatory regime is one of the most efficient and effective in the world. This is why the Government of Canada has made regulatory reform a priority.

The many programs [. . . . ] The expanded on-line delivery of key government services and information extends our reach into the remote areas of Canada even further.

The mandate of the Canadian Space Agency is to promote the peaceful use and development of space, to advance the knowledge of space through science and to ensure that space science and technology provide social and economic benefits for Canadians. The CSA is achieving this mandate by implementing the Canadian Space Program (CSP) in co-operation with other government departments and agencies, industries, universities, as well as international partners.

[. . . . ] I invite you to review the Canadian Space Agency's Departmental Performance Report for more details on how it fosters a productive, innovative and competitive 21st century economy.

David L. Emerson
Minister of Industry

[. . . . ]

8.1.10 Status Summary of Major Crown Projects

Information on the Canadian Space Station Program, and RADARSAT-1 and RADARSAT-2 Major Crown Projects is reported on the CSA Web site at the following address: [RADARSAT-1 and RADARSAT-2 Major Crown Projects ]

[. . . . ] 3.2 Partnership International co-operation is critical to the implementation of the Canadian Space Program. Canada co-operates with a number of international partners and has ties to various space agencies. Although the United States (U.S.) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) remain Canada's main international partners, we are increasingly developing relationships with other foreign space organisations. To learn more about Canada's international partners, go to: [Canada's international partners]

[. . . . ] SECTION: 4 Strategic Context

Over the planning horizon of this Departmental Performance Report (DPR), the CSA delivered the Canadian Space Program in the context of a very challenging international and national space sector.

4.1 International Environment

[. . . . ] Space activities are global in scope and this characteristic favours co-operation between nations seeking common goals. Canada must therefore possess a space infrastructure to not only meet its specific national needs, but to also play a tangible and visible role in responding to the issues that interest the international community. [. . . . ]

Still, several international opportunities remain and Canada is regarded as a non-threatening and reliable partner that possesses unique technical and scientific capabilities, and that can meaningfully contribute to the initiatives of foreign space agencies. In particular, emerging space-faring countries in Asia and South America offer high potential for future co-operation. These markets, while limited in the short-term, are likely to be subject to intense competition in the long-term. Consequently, Canada maintained its efforts to establish a foothold in these emerging markets. Therefore it was of paramount importance for the CSA to continue to work with its stakeholders to ensure that both our research community and industry remain active and competitive vis-à-vis world standards and markets.

4.2 National Environment

The Canadian Space Agency recognises that the best means of turning scientific and technological advancements into innovative products and services is through industry.

[. . . . ] In addition to being able to respond directly to the needs of Canadians without constraint, this industrial capability should be of sufficient size and quality to make Canada an attractive partner for nations with whom it wishes to co-operate in order to meet common objectives. Given that the Canadian market is relatively small, it is critical that industry be able to leverage foreign investments and generate export sales. Capitalizing on export revenue depends on industry's ability to commercialise highly competitive products and services, as well as the Government of Canada's ability to establish open trade regulations with its closest international partners.

[. . . . ] To foster growth of the space industry during strenuous economic conditions, the CSA adjusted its priorities in order to accelerate the development of telecommunication in research and development (R&D) initiatives . . . . the Canadian Space Program, which is centred on: . . . . and the commercialisation of these products and services by Canadian industry, particularly in foreign markets.

To learn more about the state of the Canadian space sector, go to: [here]




Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development

Committee Report: Finding the Energy to Act -- Reducing Canada's Greenhouse Gas Emissions



Standing Committee on Public Accounts

Response: Seventh Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, (Report on Plans and Priorities 2004 and the Report on Performance for the period ending March 31, 2004 of the Auditor General of Canada)

Sixth Report of the Standing Committee of Public Accounts, (Public Accounts of Canada 2003-2004)

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