Federal government tables bill to regulate space launches from Canada

The federal government has introduced legislation that would establish a regulatory framework for launching spacecraft from Canadian territory.

Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon tabled the proposed Canadian Space Launch Act on Tuesday. According to a Transport Canada technical briefing, the legislation would give the federal government authority to oversee both launches and the re-entry of spacecraft.

Officials said the proposed rules are intended to enable launches of satellites and rockets from within Canada, supporting both civilian and military applications. The framework would also set safety and compliance requirements for companies operating in the sector.

According to a federal news release, Canada is currently the only G7 country without domestic space launch capability and relies heavily on facilities in other countries, particularly the United States. The government says the legislation is aimed at reducing that dependence and supporting growth in the domestic space industry.

The bill follows a March announcement that Ottawa will invest $200 million toward developing a Canadian-owned launch facility in Nova Scotia. The project is expected to be a key component of establishing a national launch capability, though timelines for construction and operation have not been publicly detailed.