William “Mac” Evans Shares his Thoughts on Canada’s Space History and the Future of the Program

Mac Evans receiving the Order of Canada from Governor General Julie Payette. Credit: Sgt Johanie Maheu, Rideau Hall, OSGG.

My special guest this week on the SpaceQ podcast is William “Mac” Evans a thirty year veteran of the Canadian space program and a member of the Order of Canada.

During his career Mac worked in government in various capacities including to help create the Canadian Space Agency for which he served as its longest president. He also played an instrumental role in negotiating with the United States, Canada’s participation in the International Space Station. He also served as Chief of Staff to the Minister of National Defence in 2004. Importantly, he co-authored several of Canada’s early strategy and long term space plans.

Although retired from government, he is still active in the space community serving on the Board of Directors for two Canadian companies, UrtheCast and exactEarth.

Today we’ll focus on two topics. A little history of Canada’s space program so that our listeners can better understand how we got to where we are today. We’ll also discuss space strategy and planning, and what direction Mac thinks the program should take.

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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