The Canadian Space Agency's – Departmental Plan
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© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry,
ISSN: 2371-7777
From the Minister
It is my pleasure to present the – Departmental Plan for the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), which lays out the key priorities the CSA is working to advance for the benefit of all Canadians.
In –, the CSA will continue working with the Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) portfolio organizations and other federal partners to bolster Canadian innovation by fostering competitive, sustainable, and inclusive economic growth.
As humanity prepares to venture back to the Moon, Canada is a leading partner given our contribution of world-class space robotic technologies. The cutting-edge Canadarm3 robotic arm, along with the lunar rover and utility vehicle, exemplify the CSA's significant contributions to future lunar exploration missions. Canada is set to become only the second country in the world to send an astronaut to the Moon with the historic Artemis II mission.
Space data will continue to enhance the lives of Canadians. In –, the CSA will advance the RADARSAT+ initiative to ensure the continuity of RADARSAT data. This initiative will help maintain the multitude of services to Canadians made possible by sovereign satellites. The availability of satellite data is crucial for Canada's ability to respond to natural disasters, emergencies, and national security threats.
The space sector continues to help drive the Canadian economy forward. In –, the CSA will support the prosperity and growth of space sector organizations by fuelling innovation through the Space Technology Development Program (STDP). The CSA will also offer hands-on experience to young researchers and students through the Flights and Fieldwork for the Advancement of Science and Technology (FAST) funding initiative, paving the way for a new generation of space scientists. By providing various opportunities to students and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the CSA aims to prepare the next generation of space professionals and increase the competitiveness of Canada's space industry.
These are just some of the CSA's exciting plans for –. We invite you to read this report to learn more about how the CSA is supporting all Canadians to participate in and benefit from a competitive and growing space economy.
Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
The Honourable Mélanie Joly
Plans to deliver on core responsibilities and internal services
Core responsibilities and internal services
Core responsibility: Canada in Space
In this section
- Description for Core responsibility: Canada in Space
- Quality of Life impacts
- Indicators, results and targets for Core responsibility: Canada in Space
- Plans to achieve results for Core responsibility: Canada in Space
- Planned resources to achieve results for Core responsibility: Canada in Space
- Related government priorities for Core responsibility: Canada in Space
- Program inventory for Core responsibility: Canada in Space
Description
The CSA coordinates the space policies and programs of the government of Canada; ensures that other government departments and agencies have access to space data, information, and services to deliver on their mandate; plans, directs and manages projects relating to scientific or industrial space research and the development of space science and technology; promotes the transfer and diffusion of space technology to and throughout the Canadian industry; and encourages the commercial exploitation of space capabilities, technology, facilities and systems. The CSA aims to build Canada's capacity by engaging the next generation of space scientists and engineers and providing opportunities to inspire young people to pursue studies and careers in science, technology, engineering and math.
Quality of Life impacts
This core responsibility contributes directly to the "Prosperity" domain of the Quality of Life Framework for Canada, and, more specifically, "Firm Growth," "Employment," and "Child, student and adult skills." The CSA's core responsibility involves supporting the Canadian space sector, and creating capacity through research and development, skill building, and youth in STEM programming. Moreover, by ensuring that other government departments and agencies have access to space data, information, and services, the CSA is supporting them in contributing to the "Society" and "Environment" domains of the framework.
Indicators, results and targets
This section presents details on the department's indicators, the actual results from the three most recently reported fiscal years, the targets and target dates approved in – for Canada in Space. Details are presented by departmental result.
Departmental Result 1: Canada remains a leading space-faring nation
| Departmental Result Indicators | Actual Results | Target | Date to achieve target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking of Canadian Government civil space budget as a share of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) among Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Brazil, Russia, India, China (BRIC) nations |
|
23 | |
| Canada's rank among Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations on the citation score of space-related publications |
|
13 |
Departmental Result 2: Space information and technologies improve the lives of Canadians
| Departmental Result Indicators | Actual Results | Target | Date to achieve target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of services offered to Canadians dependent on space data |
|
111 | |
| Number of Canadian space technologies adapted for use on Earth or re-use in space |
|
34 |
Departmental Result 3: Canada's investments in space benefit the Canadian economy
| Departmental Result Indicators | Actual Results | Target | Date to achieve target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of employees in the Canadian space sector |
|
12,800 | |
| Value of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the Canadian space sector |
|
$3.2B |
Additional information on the detailed results and performance information for the CSA's program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.
Plans to achieve results
The following section describes the planned results for Canada in Space in –.
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Canada remains a leading space-faring nation
Results we plan to achieve:
- From the International Space Station…
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The CSA plays a vital role on the International Space Station (ISS) by operating the Mobile Servicing System, which includes Canadarm2. The Canadian robotic arm will continue providing essential support by moving supplies and equipment around the station, grappling and berthing visiting vehicles, supporting astronauts on spacewalks, and maintaining the station. This year, Canadarm2 will capture two new types of cargo vehicles that will resupply the ISS for the first time: Sierra Space's Dream Chaser and Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) HTV-X. Around 150 highly qualified personnel in Canada will contribute to maintaining the operations of the Mobile Servicing System in –. The CSA will further enhance Canada's contributions to the Mobile Servicing System via the ongoing development of Dextre Deployable Vision System (DDVS), a portable, enhanced-vision tool. The DDVS is designed to inspect the ISS for signs of potential damage and monitor the approach and departure of visiting vehicles reinforcing Canada's role in the station's continued success.
Canada's participation in the ISS allows Canadian scientists and industry to access this unique space environment and conduct cutting-edge experiments and technology development aboard the orbiting laboratory. The CSA supports studies and experiments on the ISS to investigate the health risks associated with space travel and develop technologies to care for astronauts in space. Both the research and the technologies also have the potential to help improve health for Canadians. Scheduled to launch no earlier than , the MicroFluidic Sample Preparation (MFSP) is a novel instrument that will allow astronauts to automate and reliably prepare biological samples for analysis directly on the space station. The CSA will also continue operations of the Bio-Monitor, a smart shirt measuring an astronaut's physiological parameters, which supports many studies on human health in space. Additionally, in –, the CSA will initiate the development of the Canadian Active Neutron Spectrometer (CANS) with the aim of measuring radiation inside the ISS, and eventually in the cis-lunar environment. The data generated by CANS will also be used to support science research and for medical operations to support astronauts' health. In –, the CSA will select up to seven additional scientific protocols to investigate health risks associated with space travel using research facilities on the ISS. These space health studies also help us understand the impacts of reduced levels of physical activity and issues that affect older adult populations on Earth.
CSA astronaut Joshua Kutryk will be the next Canadian to fly to the ISS. During -, he will continue his training and preparations for a flight. This is expected to be the first mission by a CSA astronaut under NASA's Commercial Crew Program and Canada's fourth long-duration mission to the ISS. He will spend approximately six months onboard the station to conduct scientific experiments and test new technologies.
- …in Earth's orbit…
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The QEYSSat mission will continue its development in – for launch in –. This mission will, for the first time in Canada, aim to demonstrate quantum key distribution (QKD) in space. QKD is a new technology that could help provide Canada with secure and virtually unbreakable encrypted communications in the age of quantum computing. Currently in its implementation phase, this mission will allow Canadian scientists to study how QKD behaves in space and lay the groundwork for a global network supporting the exchange of quantum-based encryption keys over long distances.
- …to the Moon…
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Throughout –, as part of Canada's contribution to the United States-led Gateway, a space station in lunar orbit, the Agency will continue to advance detailed designs for both ground and flight segments of the Canadarm3 robotic system. Additionally, the CSA will continue the development of the Gateway External Robotic Interfaces (GERI) designed to connect and attach the robotic arm to items, modules or payloads on Gateway, enabling dynamic movement around the lunar station. Contributing Canadarm3 and robotic technology to Gateway has opened up a range of opportunities for Canada. This includes a seat onboard Artemis II, activities related to lunar science, technology demonstrations and commercialization, as well as a future flight to the Gateway.
Canadian industry and researchers will have access to the unique environment of the Gateway, allowing them to validate and demonstrate novel technologies and advance space science. In –, to prepare for Canadian science on the Gateway, the CSA will study options for up to three instruments that could be sent to the lunar orbital laboratory to support future research.
Canada is a partner of choice for the Artemis II mission, which is scheduled to launch no earlier than with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen onboard and Canadian astronaut Jenni Gibbons as his official back-up. It will be the first time that a Canadian flies to the Moon.
The CSA will continue the development of the first Canadian lunar rover to explore the Moon and help scientists in the search for water ice on the lunar south pole, an essential element for a long-term human presence on the Moon. Thanks to a close collaboration between the CSA and NASA, the rover will launch to the Moon as part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, no earlier than . Following the announcement in Budget , the CSA will work on the early concept for a lunar utility vehicle. This vehicle will be designed to handle logistical tasks, perform science investigations, and support astronauts during space missions. As part the CSA's commitment to lunar exploration, the CSA will continue to deliver the Lunar Exploration Accelerator Program (LEAP) to support Canada's world-class space industry and help accelerate the development of innovative technologies for the lunar utility vehicle.
- …and beyond, in the solar system
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As part of the ongoing OSIRIS-REx mission, the CSA aims to complete the construction of a clean room in –, where Canada's portion of the asteroid Bennu sample will be securely housed and made available to researchers. The Canadian OSIRIS-REx Laser Altimeter (OLA) instrument will continue to be used for the upcoming NASA-led OSIRIS-APEX mission to observe Apophis, a 340-metre wide asteroid that will pass within 0.1 lunar distance from the Earth in , a once in a few thousand years event. This mission offers the first opportunity to study how an asteroid of this size behaves during a close approach to Earth which will provide key insights that will enhance our ability to better predict whether asteroids will impact the Earth in the future. In –, the spacecraft and all instruments will undergo a health check to ensure the mission can proceed as designed.
In the field of space astronomy, Canada's contributions to the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) earned Canadian astronomers telescope time allocation to further their research. By –, the CSA's financial contributions will support the publication of up to 80 scientific papers documenting these results. The CSA will also support the development of a Canadian cryoharness for the European Space Agency (ESA) Ariel space telescope mission. This contribution will allow a Canadian scientist to be on the Ariel Science Team, which positions Canada to play a meaningful role in the definition of the mission's science objectives and cosmic observation targets. This contribution will also ensure as many as 12 Canadian scientists have priority access to analyze data from the mission, positioning them to make groundbreaking discoveries on exoplanets and advance the search for habitable worlds beyond our solar system.
In –, the CSA will continue to support Canadian scientists and astronomers investigating the hot and high-energy universe using the data from XRISM and AstroSat space observatories. By capturing the cosmos using high-energy emissions such as X-rays, these missions provide a different and complementary perspective on the universe compared to observatories using lower energy emissions. This research helps improve our understanding of celestial objects such as black holes, clusters of galaxies, supernova, and neutron stars.
Overall, the CSA's investments in space astronomy and planetary exploration missions and science will support about 450 highly qualified personnel and 200 students in –.
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Space information and technologies improve the lives of Canadians
Results we plan to achieve:
- Earth observation – Operational missions for service to Canadians
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In –, the CSA will continue delivering Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery data from the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) to government departments and vetted users. It is estimated that 300,000 Government of Canada (GC) SAR data imagery requests will be processed in –. To ensure continuous access to SAR data, the CSA will continue work on the RADARSAT+ initiative—designing and developing a replenishment satellite for the RCM, and designing a next-generation satellite system to succeed the RCM. The continuity of SAR data is vital to preserving sovereignty and informed decision-making in a multitude of areas, including natural resource management, environmental protection, maritime safety, surveillance of the arctic, and national security. Maintaining this capacity is crucial for the government's ability to deliver effective services. The replenishment satellite will ensure data availability until the next-generation system becomes operational.
In –, the CSA will continue to work on the development of the WildFireSat mission planned to launch in . Once operational, WildFireSat will improve situational awareness, particularly near vulnerable remote northern communities located in forested areas, by providing up-to-date data on a national scale on radiative heat power emitted by wildfires, referred to as Fire Radiative Power (FRP). The mission will support wildland fire management and research and improve Canada's ability to protect our communities, resources, infrastructure, and environment against wildland fire disasters.
CSA will also work to advance the Arctic Observing Mission in -. In collaboration with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), the CSA is leading development of an international Earth observation mission concept to put two satellites into orbit that could observe the Arctic like never before. The Arctic Observing Mission aims to give scientists a new view of weather and climate patterns. It could deliver major benefits for people living in northern communities, including Indigenous peoples, by increasing safety and quality of life thanks to improved weather and air quality forecasts. It would also provide humanity with valuable information about climate change.
- Earth observation – Scientific missions for monitoring extreme weather events
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The CSA will continue to develop Canadian instruments aiming to facilitate unprecedented observations of aerosols, clouds, convection, and precipitation through the High-altitude Aerosols, Water Vapour, and Clouds (HAWC) mission scheduled to launch in . HAWC is tailored to provide critical data to support severe and extreme weather prediction, climate modeling, and monitoring of natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions, wildfires, and extreme precipitation. The HAWC mission will be part of the international NASA-led Atmosphere Observing System (AOS) mission. The CSA will also continue to support the SCISAT mission that seeks to measure ozone layer depletion across Canada with a focus on the Arctic. Additionally, the CSA instruments onboard other partners' satellites – OSIRIS, measuring the ozone layer and air quality, and MOPITT, measuring carbon monoxide concentrations – contribute to valuable long-term datasets for assessing and understanding climate change. These datasets are made available to the scientific community and are accessed by researchers worldwide.
Over 350 highly qualified personnel from the Canadian space sector will work with the CSA to develop and operate instruments and missions in the Earth Observation (EO) and Space Situational Awareness fields.
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Canada's investments in space benefit the Canadian economy
Results we plan to achieve:
- Supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the prosperity and growth of Canadian space industry
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The Space Technology Development Program (STDP) will continue to fuel growth and innovation in Canada's space industry and address aspects of technology that are not yet fully understood or predictable. Addressing the unknowns, and therefore reducing the risks, is a prerequisite for making a space technology reliable and marketable. In -, STDP will provide up to 30 funding opportunities for industry to develop technologies to support future technological needs of the Canadian Space Program or that have strong potential for commercialization. The technologies developed under STDP cover a wide spectrum from medical technologies to communications to energy. One example is a planned project to develop solar power modules which have integrated electronic power conditioning units, allowing for better power efficiency and size. In addition, four million dollars in funding will be available for the smartEarth initiative to help advance the Application Readiness Level (ARL) of up to 29 applications, while involving 150 highly qualified personnel. Projects supported by smartEarth will allow for the development of innovative satellite data solutions in a variety of fields that will help solve key challenges on Earth and in our everyday lives.
The CSA is committed to helping unlock the full potential of Canada's space sector and responding to the realities of the new and evolving space environment while leveraging resources as efficiently as possible. The end of the Government of Canada's operations at the David-Florida Laboratory (DFL) in created an opportunity for the Canadian space industry to consider exploring how to best make continued use of this world-class testing facility. The CSA will continue to work with the Government and the space sector to develop an approach to enable space qualification and testing services to resume at DFL under industry leadership.
- Canada and the European Space Agency
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As part of Canada-ESA ongoing collaboration under the – Canada‑European Space Agency Cooperation Agreement, Canada, other member countries, and cooperating states will meet at the ESA Ministerial Level Council in -, in Bremen, Germany to identify investments in optional programs for the next three years (–). Canada's investments will provide opportunities for Canadian industry to access the European market, create alliances with European industry, and enable access to space qualification or flight opportunities for Canadian space technologies and products. In –, 40 Canadian organizations will participate in ESA missions in Earth observation, satellite communications, space exploration, navigation, space safety, and technology development under 75 new or ongoing contracts.
- Empowering youth
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Nine teams from Canadian post-secondary institutions will continue to involve at least 285 students through the CubeSats Initiative in Canada for STEM (CUBICS), with the goal of designing, building, testing, launching, and operating their own nano satellites and increasing their scientific and technical knowledge.
Around 50 students and scientists will receive the opportunity to test payloads through the CSA's stratospheric balloon campaign (STRATOS), a flight campaign that aims to validate new technologies and perform scientific experiments in a near-space environment, while inspiring and training the next generation of experts. In collaboration with the Centre national d'études spatiales (CNES), Stratos is preparing the flight campaign of four Zero-Pressure balloons from Timmins, Ontario. Additionally, the CSA is planning to perform several expandable balloon launches, with flights planned for –.
With CSA support, up to sixty Canadian students will have the opportunity to participate at national and international conferences and training events in – that will help them develop their professional networks and be involved in the latest developments in space science and technology. Furthermore, at least 70 students will participate in activities aimed at increasing equity, diversity and inclusion in the space sector.
The CSA will also support the NASA International Space Apps Challenge by providing Canadian data, training resources, and the support of experts and judges. An estimated 2,000 individuals from across Canada, including youth, will participate in this event.
- Supporting academic scientific research
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Additionally, more than 70 research projects with Canadian universities will progress in –, supported by the Flights and Fieldwork for the Advancement of Science and Technology (FAST), the Research Opportunities in Space Science – (ROSS) and the Research Opportunities in Satellite Earth Observation (ROSEO) initiatives. These funding initiatives support space research in Canadian post-secondary institutions and aim to develop and maintain the expertise of the next generation of space researchers and other professionals in space-related fields in Canada. These grants enable students (college, undergraduate, and graduate) and young researchers (postdoctoral fellows) to gain hands-on experience in space-like missions and support the development of space science and technologies.
Planned resources to achieve results
Table 4: Planned resources to achieve results for Canada in Space
| Resource | Planned |
|---|---|
| Spending | $778,010,952 |
| Full-time equivalents | 665.8 |
Complete financial and human resources information for the CSA's program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.
Related government priorities
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Gender-based Analysis plus
Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) will continue to inform and shape decisions and internal processes in –, including by applying a GBA Plus lens to all programs, policies, and initiatives. In response to this government-wide priority, the CSA is committed to improving equity in the space sector by addressing barriers to participation for equity deserving groups. Increasing equity, diversity, and inclusion in the space sector is key to ensuring that space science and technology provide social and economic benefits for all Canadians.
After renewing its GBA Plus Policy and tools in –, the CSA continues to work on its GBA Plus Action Plan to implement the Policy. The Action Plan includes three pillars:
- Increase accountability and shared responsibility to implement GBA Plus in all CSA activities;
- Promote and strengthen GBA Plus as a competency through enhanced learning opportunities, resources, and tools that are made available to all CSA employees; and
- Enhance the approach for communicating how the CSA's activities impact diverse groups of people in Canada through GBA Plus.
Internationally, the CSA continues to support the Space4Women program led by the United Nations (UN) Office of Outer Space Affairs (OOSA). The CSA collaborated with the UN OOSA in the creation of the first Gender Mainstreaming Toolkit for space and will continue to support its enhancements.
Domestically, the CSA uses GBA Plus to inform its work on all programs and projects, to better understand how decisions impact different groups of people, and to achieve more equitable outcomes. Certain programs aim to increase the representation of equity-seeking groups, such as CUBICS. These efforts aim to provide opportunities for young women and girls, Indigenous peoples, socioeconomically vulnerable individuals, racialized populations, persons with disabilities, and individuals from northern and remote communities.
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United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals
The CSA's – Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS) outlines its contributions to advancing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by leveraging space technologies and expertise to deliver tangible benefits on Earth. For SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), the CSA has advanced a suite of activities to drive the development of advanced food production technologies designed for space missions. These innovations also have the potential to address food security challenges in remote and climate-affected communities, with a target of adapting two such technologies for use on Earth in the agri-food sector by –.
For SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), the CSA continues to advance the Health Beyond initiative which focuses on cutting-edge medical technologies, such as the Connected Care Medical Module (C²M²), developed for extreme space environments. These technologies are adaptable to enhance healthcare delivery in isolated and underserved communities, with a target of three space health technologies adapted for terrestrial use by –. The CSA also supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) by inspiring the next generation of STEM professionals through outreach programs and initiatives such as CUBICS and STRATOS. By –, these programs aim to engage hundreds of Canadian youth, fostering the skills and knowledge essential for addressing global sustainability challenges.
In support of SDG 13 (Climate Action), the CSA leverages its satellites and partnerships for the production of Earth Observation imagery and science data to contribute to emergency management and disaster risk reduction efforts. This includes providing satellite imagery for the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters, with CSA data supporting 80% of activations annually. For SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), the CSA emphasizes international collaboration to advance space technologies and sustainability. By –, these partnerships are anticipated to enable 60 services offered by other government departments (OGDs) and the private sector to rely on space-based data. Together, these initiatives reflect the CSA's dedication to aligning its space activities with sustainable development goals, ensuring that space innovations translate into meaningful benefits for Canadians and the global community. As part of Canada's efforts to ensure sustainability in space and on Earth, Canada will work with partners at the UN COPUOS in – to further develop policies and guidelines for the peaceful exploration and use of space. This will include work to address a broad variety of emerging space activities such as the legal aspects of space resource activities.
Canada is a signatory to the Artemis Accords—a set of principles designed to guide the safe and sustainable exploration and use of outer space. In – the CSA will work with NASA and other signatories to advance the principles contained in the Accords. Their efforts will focus on, inter alia, addressing debris mitigation and remediation on the lunar surface to promote sustainable lunar practices, engaging with emerging space nations, and publishing a database of lunar activities to deconflict activities.
More information on the CSA's contributions to Canada's Federal Implementation Plan on the Agenda and the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy can be found in the CSA's Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.
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Innovation
In –, the CSA will focus on process optimization, implementing various initiatives to enhance organizational efficiency, fulfill its mandate, and responsibly manage Canadians' tax dollars. This effort will also support employee wellness by identifying and reducing unnecessary or burdensome tasks.
Program inventory
Canada in Space is supported by the following programs:
- Space Exploration
- Space Utilization
- Space Capacity Development
Additional information related to the program inventory for Canada in Space is available on the Results page on GC InfoBase.
Internal services
In this section
Description
Internal services are the services that are provided within a department so that it can meet its corporate obligations and deliver its programs. There are 10 categories of internal services:
- management and oversight services
- communications services
- legal services
- human resources management services
- financial management services
- information management services
- information technology services
- real property management services
- materiel management services
- acquisition management services
Plans to achieve results
This section presents details on how the department plans to achieve results and meet targets for internal services.
Fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce
The CSA's new People Strategy for – will serve as the overarching framework for all human resources (HR) strategies and plans moving forward, replacing the existing Strategic Workforce Management Plan –.
To promote equity and diversity, the CSA will implement the – edition of the Employment Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan, which was co-developed with the CSA's relevant internal committees and networks. The goal of this plan is to outline specific objectives aimed at improving the representation of designated groups. This includes setting recruitment targets to boost the participation of employment equity groups, as well as prioritizing training—such as official languages development—along with learning and leadership opportunities for their members. These activities will help to ensure that the CSA's workforce reflects the Canadian population, and to promote a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Optimizing the workplace and advancing the CSA Long-Term Portfolio Strategy
In –, the CSA will develop its long-term real property portfolio strategy and implementation plan, in alignment with the Directive on the Management of Real Property.
The federal public service's hybrid work model has accelerated workplace transformation, providing opportunities to modernize office environments and create flexible, inclusive, and accessible workplaces that are sustainable and fiscally responsible.
The CSA will also right-size its real property portfolio by reducing underutilized lab spaces and optimizing office layouts to match staffing levels, thereby enhancing operational efficiency.
Providing modern tools and facilities for a secure work environment
The CSA continues to advance its Digital Transformation agenda through several key actions in –. To empower its employees and provide them the best tools to support their work, we are planning to tap into the power of artificial intelligence and other automation tools to promote innovative ways of approaching and manipulating data and to support data-driven decisions. This will allow the CSA's staff to be more efficient and effective in their work.
Data continues to be a GC priority, and building on the CSA's recently updated Data Strategy, the following activities are planned for –: finalizing the CSA's data inventory, setting the table for the creation of a data catalog and structure for self-served data services. This year will bring a higher focus on how data is governed, both internal services data and mission data, to maximize its utilization and support Canada's Digital Ambition.
Cybersecurity remains a national issue for Canada and a high-priority risk for the CSA. For –, key actions include the implementation of a security assessment and authorization directive with a cybersecurity process standard that has been harmonized with the requirements of the GC Enterprise Cybersecurity Strategy, the Canadian Centre for Cybersecurity (CCCS) and other space agencies.
The CSA's financial management services will focus on targeted innovations to support more agile, efficient, and accountable resource management, going beyond traditional operations to drive strategic results. This approach is built on the CSA's four pillars: Optimized Financial Processes and Systems, Data Integrity, Real-Time Data, and Data Visualization. The CSA will also implement advanced analytics tools for financial planning, reporting, costing and monitoring to enable faster and more informed decision-making.
Promoting sustainability through green practices
In alignment with the Greening Government Strategy and the CSA's – Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy, the CSA is actively working toward reducing its carbon footprint and adopting sustainable practices. The Agency aims to achieve climate-resilience and net-zero emissions operations by . To achieve this objective, the CSA will focus on energy efficiency and reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from various sources by prioritizing the decarbonization of its facilities and fleet, while also implementing green procurement practices and aiming to reduce embodied carbon in its projects. The CSA will also assess the environmental impacts of its space missions through a Life Cycle Assessment, seeking opportunities to reduce carbon emissions. Furthermore, the CSA will collaborate with its suppliers to promote responsible consumption and to share data on their carbon footprint.
One significant aspect of the CSA's efforts is the implementation of the Agency's Green Procurement Directive to formalize its commitment to green procurement and ensure compliance with the Policy on Green Procurement and Greening Government Strategy. The CSA will respect the Policy's two new procurement standards, focusing on reducing embodied carbon in construction projects and disclosing GHG emissions from suppliers.
Planned resources to achieve results
Table 5: Planned resources to achieve results for internal services this year
| Resource | Planned |
|---|---|
| Spending | $56,069,879 |
| Full-time equivalents | 378.5 |
Complete financial and human resources information for the CSA's program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.
Planning for contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses
Government of Canada departments are to meet a target of awarding at least 5% of the total value of contracts to Indigenous businesses each year. This commitment is to be fully implemented by the end of –.
In order to achieve this target, the CSA will continue to implement its Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Businesses which includes the use of conditional or voluntary set-asides to increase contract awards to Indigenous businesses, and Indigenous Participation Plans (IPPs) to grow industry capacity. More specifically, the CSA will:
- Continue to implement and update procurement practices internally and include new processes to determine Indigenous capacity. Set-asides will be pursued whenever industry availability is identified, and additional data will be collected for more comprehensive reporting and trend analysis in the future;
- Add Indigenous Participation Plan (IPP) criteria as elements in modernized CSA procurement templates;
- Provide training throughout the year for the CSA's procurement officers, including on identifying Comprehensive Land Claims Areas and using the Indigenous Business Directory to pursue opportunities with Indigenous suppliers;
- Participate in Indigenous Services Canada's Reverse Job Fairs for Indigenous Businesses, and continue engagement with the CSA's Indigenous Community of Practice to inform and help sectors adopt new procurement practices;
- Add socio-economic benefits, including Indigenous procurement as a priority within internal governance for procurements;
- Within the CSA internal governance, procurement officers will be able to challenge procurement plans or evaluation criteria in order to ensure different groups are not facing unnecessary challenges and propose approaches that could increase Indigenous participation when suitable; and
- Draft and update the CSA's procurement management framework in accordance with the Directive on the Management of Procurement, which will include considerations for Indigenous procurement.
Table 6: Percentage of contracts planned and awarded to Indigenous businesses
| 5% Reporting Field | – Actual Result | – Forecasted Result | – Planned Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total percentage of contracts with Indigenous businesses | 3.83% | 5.25% | 6% |
Planned spending and human resources
This section provides an overview of the CSA's planned spending and human resources for the next three fiscal years and compares planned spending for – with actual spending from previous years.
Spending
This section presents an overview of the department's planned expenditures from – to –.
Graph 1 and 2 present how much the department plans to spend in – to carry out core responsibilities and internal services.
The chart above indicates that, for –, the CSA plans to allocate $778,010,952 to its core responsibility, "Canada in Space," and $56,069,879 to internal services. This visual highlights the substantial investment allocated to Canada's space-related activities compared to internal services.
The graph shows a comparison of expenditures for the Agency's sole core responsibility (Canada in Space) and the Internal Services to support it. Canada in Space has a significantly larger budget of $778,010,952 represented by a long blue bar. The "Internal Services" category has a much smaller budget of $56,069,879 shown by a shorter brown bar.
Text description of Graph 1 and 2
| Core responsibilities and internal services | – planned spending |
|---|---|
| Canada in Space | $778,010,952 |
| Internal services | $56,069,879 |
Budgetary performance summary
Table 7: Three-year spending summary for core responsibilities and internal services (dollars)
| Core responsibilities and Internal services | – Actual Expenditures | – Actual Expenditures | – Forecast Spending |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada in Space | $425,072,047 | $371,378,033 | $349,012,257 |
| Subtotal(s) | $425,072,047 | $371,378,033 | $349,012,257 |
| Internal services | $73,163,448 | $79,369,177 | $64,955,212 |
| Total(s) | $498,235,495 | $450,747,210 | $413,967,469 |
Analysis of past three years of spending
The above table highlights the expenditures by the CSA over the past three years to fulfill its core responsibilities and provide internal services. The amounts for the current fiscal year are projected based on spending recorded to date.
The actual spending variances in – and – along with the forecasted expenditures for – presented in Table 7 align with the Agency's flagship investment funding.
The net decrease of $47.5M from – and – is mainly due to factors related to Canadarm3, more specifically to changes to requirements and supply chain delays.
More financial information from previous years is available on the Finances section of GC Infobase.
Table 8: Planned three-year spending on core responsibilities and internal services (dollars)
| Core responsibilities and Internal services | – Planned Spending | – Planned Spending | – Planned Spending |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada in Space | $778,010,952 | $782,140,193 | $528,154,661 |
| Subtotal | $778,010,952 | $782,140,193 | $528,154,661 |
| Internal services | $56,069,879 | $55,376,360 | $56,079,080 |
| Total | 834,080,831 | 837,516,553 | 584,233,741 |
Analysis of the next three years of spending
The variance between – and – in the table above is mainly attributable to the following factors :
- New investment: Funding announced in Budget to support the International Space Station Program through .
- Net decrease in Canadarm3 investments: Originally announced in Budget , with additional funding anticipated in the coming years.
- Net decrease in Gateway External Robotics Interfaces (GERI) investments.
- Efforts to implement the second phase of the "Refocusing Government Spending" initiative introduced in Budget .
- Net decrease in WildFireSat investments: Initially announced in Budget , with further funding expected in future years.
More detailed financial information on planned spending is available on the Finances section of GC Infobase.
Funding
This section provides an overview of the department's voted and statutory funding for its core responsibilities and for internal services. For further information on funding authorities, consult the Government of Canada budgets and expenditures.
Graph 3 summarizes the department's approved voted and statutory funding from – to –.
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Text description of graph 3
Text description of graph 3 Fiscal year Total Voted Statutory – $498,235,495 $485,040,895 $13,194,601 – $450,747,210 $436,254,186 $14,493,023 – $413,967,469 $401,813,221 $12,154,248 – $834,080,831 $816,722,606 $17,358,225 – $837,516,553 $820,166,145 $17,350,408 – $584,233,741 $567,123,711 $17,110,030 -
Analysis of statutory and voted funding over a six-year period
Approved funding variations are primarily driven by specific allocations for initiatives where funding exceeded the CSA's ongoing resource levels. The changes in the funding profile from – to – are mainly attributed to:
- New investment in – and – to support the implementation of Canadarm3, as announced in Budget.
- Funding for the NASA-led Atmosphere Observing System (AOS) through the development of the Thin Ice Cloud in InfraRed Emissions (TICFIRE) instrument, announced in Budget .
- Additional funding of $150M over five years starting in – under Budget to advance the LEAP.
- Funding for the Lunar Utility Vehicle, introduced in Budget .
- Implementation of the second phase of the "Refocusing Government Spending" initiative, launched in Budget .
- Investments in the RADARSAT+ initiative to support immediate and future satellite Earth observation.
- Support for Canada's ongoing participation in the International Space Station through , as announced in Budget .
- Funding for the WildFireSat mission, introduced in Budget .
For further information on the CSA's departmental appropriations, consult the – Main Estimates.
Future-oriented condensed statement of operations
The future-oriented condensed statement of operations provides an overview of the CSA's operations for – to –.
Table 9: Future-oriented condensed statement of operations for the year ended (dollars)
| Financial information | – Forecast results |
– Planned results | Difference (Planned results minus forecasted) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total expenses | 593,817,504 | 607,777,381 | (13,959,877) |
| Total revenues | 72,765 | 28,699 | 44,066 |
| Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers | 593,744,739 | 607,748,682 | (14,003,943) |
Analysis of forecasted and planned results
Expenses
Total expenses, estimated on an accrual basis, are planned to be $607,777,381 in - resulting in an increase of $13,959,877 (2.4%) from – forecast.
The net positive variation is mainly due to an $12 million increase in "Professional and special Services" primarily attributed to the asset under construction, Canadarm3, for which several milestones are planned to be completed, leading to the payment of numerous contract milestones. Additionally, an increase is observed in other expenses such as amortization, accretion, and repair and maintenance. These increases are offset by decreases in transfer payments and Salaries and Employee Benefits.
Total expenses result in the above Future-oriented condensed statement of operations include planned spending presented in this Departmental Plan as well as other expenses not mentioned, such as amortization, accretion expenses related to asset retirement obligations, services provided without charge by other government departments, severance benefits and vacation pay liability adjustments.
The most important expenses are mainly amortization, professional and special services, salaries and fringe benefits as well as transfer payments.
Revenues
Total revenues are projected to be $651,452 in –. Most of CSA's revenues are non-respendable and are generated from the lending and use of public property, as well as other non-tax revenue generated from cost recovery from other governmental departments related to rented space. The Agency's respendable revenues are projected to be $28,699, representing revenues from Crown Asset Disposition.
A more detailed Future-Oriented Statement of Operations and associated Notes for –, including a reconciliation of the net cost of operations with the requested authorities, is available on the CSA's website.
Human resources
This section presents an overview of the department's actual and planned human resources from – to –.
Table 10: Actual human resources for core responsibilities and internal services
| Core responsibilities and internal services | – Actual full-time equivalents | – Actual full-time equivalents | – Forecasted full-time equivalents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada in Space | 459.5 | 507.7 | 492.5 |
| Subtotal | 459.5 | 507.7 | 492.5 |
| Internal services | 373.9 | 429.3 | 463.0 |
| Total | 833.4 | 937.0 | 955.5 |
Analysis of human resources over the last three years
The number of full-time equivalents in Canada in Space increased by 7% which is lower than planned due to the challenges in staffing in space science and technology due to high demands in these specialty areas. Internal services have increased by 24% due to the need to support increasing complexity, growth and supports required in the Space Program delivery and core responsibilities.
Table 11: Human resources planning summary for core responsibilities and internal services
| Core responsibilities and internal services | – Planned full-time equivalents | – Planned full-time equivalents | – Planned full-time equivalents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada in Space | 665.8 | 675.4 | 664.0 |
| Subtotal | 665.8 | 675.4 | 664.0 |
| Internal services | 378.5 | 374.5 | 375.7 |
| Total | 1044.3 | 1049.9 | 1039.7 |
Analysis of human resources for the next three years
The variations from - to – are primarily due to an increase in personnel to support the implementation of expanded activities under the Canadian space program. This includes growth in program-specific roles. As of –, the CSA has changed the allocation for full-time equivalents under its core responsibility and internal services. This change better reflects the role that these full-time equivalents play to support the Agency's core responsibility—Canada in Space.
Corporate information
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Departmental profile
Appropriate minister(s):
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, P.C., M.P.
Institutional head:
Lisa Campbell, President
Ministerial portfolio:
Innovation, Science and Economic Development
Enabling instrument(s):
Year of incorporation / commencement:
Established in
Other:
The CSA was established in . The Agency's headquarters are located at the John H. Chapman Space Centre, in Longueuil, Quebec. Other CSA workplaces include offices in the National Capital Region, and liaison offices in Houston, Washington, and Paris.
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Departmental contact information
Mailing address:
6767 Route de l'Aéroport
Borough of Saint-Hubert
Longueuil, Quebec
J3Y 8Y9Telephone:
(450) 926-4800
Fax:
(450) 926-4352
Email:
Website(s):
Supplementary information tables
The following supplementary information tables are available on the CSA's website:
Information on the CSA's departmental sustainable development strategy can be found on the CSA's website.
Federal tax expenditures
The CSA's Departmental Plan does not include information on tax expenditures.
The tax system can be used to achieve public policy objectives through the application of special measures such as low tax rates, exemptions, deductions, deferrals and credits. The Department of Finance Canada publishes cost estimates and projections for these measures each year in the Report on Federal Tax Expenditures.
This report also provides detailed background information on tax expenditures, including descriptions, objectives, historical information and references to related federal spending programs as well as evaluations and GBA Plus of tax expenditures.
Definitions
List of terms
- appropriation (crédit)
- Any authority of Parliament to pay money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
- budgetary expenditures (dépenses budgétaires)
- Operating and capital expenditures; transfer payments to other levels of government, departments or individuals; and payments to Crown corporations.
- core responsibility (responsabilité essentielle)
- An enduring function or role performed by a department. The intentions of the department with respect to a core responsibility are reflected in one or more related departmental results that the department seeks to contribute to or influence.
- Departmental Plan (plan ministériel)
- A report on the plans and expected performance of an appropriated department over a 3year period. Departmental Plans are usually tabled in Parliament each spring.
- departmental result (résultat ministériel)
- A consequence or outcome that a department seeks to achieve. A departmental result is often outside departments' immediate control, but it should be influenced by program-level outcomes.
- departmental result indicator (indicateur de résultat ministériel)
- A quantitative measure of progress on a departmental result.
- departmental results framework (cadre ministériel des résultats)
- A framework that connects the department's core responsibilities to its departmental results and departmental result indicators.
- Departmental Results Report (rapport sur les résultats ministériels)
- A report on a department's actual accomplishments against the plans, priorities and expected results set out in the corresponding Departmental Plan.
- full-time equivalent (équivalent temps plein)
- A measure of the extent to which an employee represents a full person-year charge against a departmental budget. For a particular position, the full-time equivalent figure is the ratio of number of hours the person actually works divided by the standard number of hours set out in the person's collective agreement.
- gender-based analysis plus (GBA Plus) (analyse comparative entre les sexes plus [ACS Plus])
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Is an analytical tool used to support the development of responsive and inclusive policies, programs, and other initiatives. GBA Plus is a process for understanding who is impacted by the issue or opportunity being addressed by the initiative; identifying how the initiative could be tailored to meet diverse needs of the people most impacted; and anticipating and mitigating any barriers to accessing or benefitting from the initiative. GBA Plus is an intersectional analysis that goes beyond biological (sex) and socio-cultural (gender) differences to consider other factors, such as age, disability, education, ethnicity, economic status, geography (including rurality), language, race, religion, and sexual orientation.
Using GBA Plus involves taking a gender- and diversity-sensitive approach to our work. Considering all intersecting identity factors as part of GBA Plus, not only sex and gender, is a Government of Canada commitment.
- government priorities (priorités gouvernementales)
- For the purpose of the – Departmental Plan, government priorities are the high-level themes outlining the government's agenda in the most recent Speech from the Throne.
- horizontal initiative (initiative horizontale)
- An initiative where two or more federal departments are given funding to pursue a shared outcome, often linked to a government priority.
- Indigenous business (entreprise autochtones)
- For the purpose of the Directive on the Management of Procurement Appendix E: Mandatory Procedures for Contracts Awarded to Indigenous Businesses and the Government of Canada's commitment that a mandatory minimum target of 5% of the total value of contracts is awarded to Indigenous businesses, a department that meets the definition and requirements as defined by the Indigenous Business Directory.
- non‑budgetary expenditures (dépenses non budgétaires)
- Non-budgetary authorities that comprise assets and liabilities transactions for loans, investments and advances, or specified purpose accounts, that have been established under specific statutes or under non-statutory authorities in the Estimates and elsewhere. Non-budgetary transactions are those expenditures and receipts related to the government's financial claims on, and obligations to, outside parties. These consist of transactions in loans, investments and advances; in cash and accounts receivable; in public money received or collected for specified purposes; and in all other assets and liabilities. Other assets and liabilities, not specifically defined in G to P authority codes are to be recorded to an R authority code, which is the residual authority code for all other assets and liabilities.
- performance (rendement)
- What a department did with its resources to achieve its results, how well those results compare to what the department intended to achieve, and how well lessons learned have been identified.
- performance indicator (indicateur de rendement)
- A qualitative or quantitative means of measuring an output or outcome, with the intention of gauging the performance of an department, program, policy or initiative respecting expected results.
- plan (plan)
- The articulation of strategic choices, which provides information on how a department intends to achieve its priorities and associated results. Generally, a plan will explain the logic behind the strategies chosen and tend to focus on actions that lead to the expected result.
- planned spending (dépenses prévues)
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For Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports, planned spending refers to those amounts presented in Main Estimates.
A department is expected to be aware of the authorities that it has sought and received. The determination of planned spending is a departmental responsibility, and departments must be able to defend the expenditure and accrual numbers presented in their Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports.
- program (programme)
- Individual or groups of services, activities or combinations thereof that are managed together within the department and focus on a specific set of outputs, outcomes or service levels.
- program inventory (répertoire des programmes)
- Identifies all the department's programs and describes how resources are organized to contribute to the department's core responsibilities and results.
- result (résultat)
- A consequence attributed, in part, to a department, policy, program or initiative. Results are not within the control of a single department, policy, program or initiative; instead they are within the area of the department's influence.
- statutory expenditures (dépenses législatives)
- Expenditures that Parliament has approved through legislation other than appropriation acts. The legislation sets out the purpose of the expenditures and the terms and conditions under which they may be made.
- target (cible)
- A measurable performance or success level that a department, program or initiative plans to achieve within a specified time period. Targets can be either quantitative or qualitative.
- voted expenditures (dépenses votées)
- Expenditures that Parliament approves annually through an appropriation act. The vote wording becomes the governing conditions under which these expenditures may be made.