Conservatives surprise with release of election platform including space initiatives

Less than two years after the Liberals were elected with a minority government, Canadians are being asked to go to the polls during a pandemic and deliver them a majority government. The Conservatives appear prepared, and have to everyone's surprise, already released their platform. The Conservative platform, a 160 page booklet called "Canada's Recovery Plan" was released this past Monday the day after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Rideau Hall to meet with Governor General Mary Simon and request the dissolution of Parliament forcing an election. Canadians and election pundits are questioning the timing of an election. By law, federal elections are now fixed dates. The next federal election was not scheduled until October 20, 2025. However, a Prime Minister can request of that the Governor General dissolve Parliament if they make their case that an election is needed. In this case, the Liberals have a minority government and are essentially asking Canadians to return them with a majority so they can implement their plans with less compromise. During the pandemic we've seen provincial governments call elections, and until this week, win majorities. The provincial election in Nova Scotia this past Tuesday handed the Conservatives a surprise majority win. Along with a resurgence of COVID-19 cases across Canada from the Delta variant, holding an election now is a risky calculation by the Liberals. Space in the Conservative platform Readers of SpaceQ will be somewhat familiar with Conservative leader Erin O'Toole and his thoughts on the space sector through our coverage and interview with him during the previous federal election. While O'Toole is supportive of the space sector, one of the biggest points he made in 2019 was that he would scrap the Strategic Innovation Fund. So what's in the Conservative election platform for the space sector? A Detailed Plan to Secure Jobs and Economic Growth The first mention of space is in their "A Detailed Plan to Secure Jobs and Economic Growth" section under the "Unleashing Innovation" item. The Conservatives plan to spend $5 billion over five years "to fund programs aimed at making major advances in" the following areas: Use of hydrogen;Small Modular Reactors - Including funding the work being done in Ontario, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick on nuclear energy technology and the work being done in Alberta on applying SMR technology to reduce GHG emissions in the resource sector;Private sector innovation in the space sector;Electric vehicle development and manufacturing, including electric trucks, micro-mobility, batteries, and parts manufacturers; andPharmaceutical research and production. Interestingly, the platform states that the "investment will be managed by a new Canada Advanced Research Agency headquartered in Calgary, where it will take advantage of Alberta’s highly educated workforce and help diversify the Alberta economy." There's no detail on specific initiatives that would factor into what's spent on "Private sector innovation in the space sector." It's a question we'll ask the party and follow-up on. It could lead to yet another consultation with stakeholders. I'll also note that this could be the Conservatives replacement for the Strategic Innovation Fund. A Detailed Plan to Secure the National Interest In the "A Detailed Plan to Secure the National Interest" section there is mention of space in the context of security. "Canada’s Conservatives will: Mandate a Minister of National Security & Public Safety with securing Canadians from threats by addressing data and cybersecurity, information operations, threats from foreign actors against Canadian residents, extremist financing, space and surveillance, and industry and critical infrastructure." With space situational awareness already a key component of Canada's current Strong, Secure, Engaged defence policy this would likely just be a continuation of the current plans but under a new name. It goes on to say in the "Defending our Arctic Sovereignty" section that the Conservatives will "Expand the RadarSat constellation and launch more low earth orbit satellites for telecommunications and defence in the Arctic." The expansion of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) is something that many are already expecting. In a recent interview with SpaceQ, Brigadier-General Michael Adamson, RCAF Director General Space and Joint Force Space Component Commander, told us there was "likely" to be a capability gap between RCM and its follow-on. As well, DND might need its own version of RCM. A Detailed Plan to Promote Canada's Interests and Values The last mention of space is in the "A Detailed Plan to Promote Canada's Interests and Values" section. Under Canada's Northern and Arctic Diplomacy section it states: "Canada’s Conservatives will partner with the US and NATO to prevent Russia and China from dominating our Arctic and will invest in developing our presence in the Arctic. This will include establishing a NATO Centre of Excellence for Arctic Operations, conducting Arctic exercises alongside our allies, and securing the Canadian North from the seas to space." Just below that section in the "Canada and America - Friends and Partners in the World" section it states: "Modernize NORAD to contend with shared threats from the seas to space, advance our shared interests across the Transatlantic alliance, and more closely partner in the world’s strategic competition."