Canada’s New Space Strategy Does Little to Reform Regulations

Canada’s new space strategy on the surface may look like a step forward, but when it comes to reforming regulations to spur innovation and help the commercial space sector, the strategy does little to improve Canada’s competitiveness.

In particular the highlighted section of the following point in the strategy suggests that Canada is only now embarking on determining whether the regulatory system is working. That determination has already been made at lower levels of government, within industry and by independent analysis. The answer is, it isn’t.

Create a modern regulatory framework:

” Building on announcements in the 2018 Fall Economic Statement regarding the creation of simpler, clearer and more modern regulatory systems, the Government will review Canada’s regulatory framework for space-related activities to ensure they provide timely responses for industry, maintain strategic oversight for national security and enable commercial growth. This work will examine whether the regulatory system is keeping pace with emerging technologies and new business models in the space sector, and whether it is enabling innovative space companies to prosper in Canada.”

To discuss the space strategy on this weeks SpaceQ Podcast my guest is Aram Daniel Kerkonoian. Aram is an expert in space law and policy, a licensed Ontario lawyer and the Chief Legal Consultant of Ardaker Space Consultants. Aram is currently pursuing his doctorate in space law at McGill University’s Institute of Air and Space Law, focusing on Canada’s regulatory framework related to space.

We’ll discuss Canada’s new Space Strategy focusing in part on regulatory frameworks and how updating them will help Canada’s space sector, especially the fast changing commercial space sector. We’ll touch on space mining, ground stations, rocket launches and more. Recently Aram wrote an opinion related to the new Space Strategy which discusses some of his points.

Listen in.

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About Marc Boucher

Boucher is an entrepreneur, writer, editor & publisher. He is the founder of SpaceQ Media Inc. and CEO and co-founder of SpaceRef Interactive LLC. Boucher has 20+ years working in various roles in the space industry and a total of 30 years as a technology entrepreneur including creating Maple Square, Canada's first internet directory and search engine.

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