Details Released for the New National Space Council

Initials details on Canada’s new National Space Council were quietly released last week on the Canadian Space Agency website. The new multi-level governance structure is going to be big.

According to the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) website, the “multi-level governance structure of Ministers and senior government officials (Assistant Deputy Ministers/Vice Presidents and Deputy Heads) comprised of members from over 20 departments and agencies.”

The National Space Council will have an Assistant Deputy (AD) Ministers’ Committee that will be co-chaired by the Canadian Space Agency and National Defense. The AD Ministers’ Committee will report to the “Deputy Heads’ table” and there will be an annual meeting of Ministers. The CSA will also act as the Secretariat for the National Space Council. Information on how often the AD Ministers’ Committee will meet is not provided.

As for stakeholders, the government will send invitations to those that will be selected to participate. How many stakeholders get to participate is information not yet released. And those selected will participate in “select meetings” with “the Assistant Deputy Minister/Vice President, Deputy Head and Ministerial level.”

So how does Canada’s setup compare to the U.S. National Space Council (NSpC)?

In the U.S., the reconstituted Council (2018) is Chaired by Vice President Kamala Harris and “is comprised of Cabinet-level Secretaries and other senior executive branch officials.” It “was established by law as part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 1989. The Council was not operational from 1993-2017. The NSpC is aided by a staff from the Executive Office of the President led by a civilian Executive Secretary. It is also supported by the Users Advisory Group, a Federal Advisory Committee consisting of outside experts from industry, academia, and other non-Federal organizations.”

Since being reconstituted, the NSpC has put several important space policy directives, a U.S. Space Priorities Framework and other policies. These policies have led to concrete action in many areas.

The list of government member departments and agencies include. If needed, the government will add other departments and agencies.

• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
• Canadian Security Intelligence Service
• Canadian Space Agency (co-chair)
• Communications Security Establishment
• Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada
• Environment and Climate Change Canada
• Finance Canada
• Global Affairs Canada
• Indigenous Services Canada
• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
• Justice Canada
• National Defence (co-chair)
• National Research Council Canada
• Natural Resources Canada
• Parks Canada
• Privy Council Office
• Public Health Agency of Canada
• Public Safety Canada
• Public Services and Procurement Canada
• Shared Services Canada
• Transport Canada
• Treasury Board Secretariat