A new national survey conducted by Abacus Data for Maritime Launch Services reveals that 68 per cent of Canadians believe the country should have the ability to launch satellites from its own soil. This report is the first comprehensive public polling data on sovereign launch capabilities in Canada. The findings suggest strong public support for domestic space infrastructure, effectively justifying recent federal policy moves and sector funding.
While regular readers of this publication will not be surprised to learn that only 26 per cent of respondents knew Canada lacks domestic launch capability, the public reaction to learning this fact is revealing. Once this capability gap was explained, support for building domestic infrastructure jumped.
The poll, conducted between June 25 and July 2, 2026 of 2,366 Canadians, highlights that Canadians view space through a practical lens. According to the data, 70 per cent of respondents agree that developing launch infrastructure strengthens economic and national security interests. Eight in 10 Canadians stated it is important to build infrastructure that supports security and sovereignty.
The survey also measured public reaction to Spaceport Nova Scotia, Maritime Launch Services’ launch facility under development near Canso. While national awareness of the project sat at just 17 per cent prior to the survey, 66 per cent of respondents viewed it as a good way to build space and defence capabilities after reading a description. Support was particularly strong in Atlantic Canada, where 75 per cent of residents agreed the country should have domestic launch capabilities.
Canadians also appear comfortable with the varied applications of such a facility. Nearly 80 per cent of respondents expressed comfort with the spaceport supporting national defence needs, while 78 per cent supported scientific and research missions. The survey tested reactions to the federal government’s recent 10-year, $200-million agreement for a dedicated launch pad at Spaceport Nova Scotia. After learning the pad would support the Department of National Defence and international allies, 61 per cent of Canadians called the agreement a good way to build domestic capabilities. Only nine per cent opposed it.
“Canadians are not only proud of Canada’s role in space. They want Canada to be more capable in space,” the report noted.
For the Canadian space sector, this data is highly relevant. Industry advocates now have quantitative proof that federal investments in space infrastructure carry lower political risk as long as the public understands the context. Support for these initiatives crosses all major partisan lines, with majorities among Liberal, Conservative, and NDP voters backing the development of space and defence capabilities. This broad consensus provides a solid foundation for future government funding and regulatory support.