New Parliamentary Space Caucus Created

Conservative MP Jay Aspin. Credit: CPAC.

Conservative MP Jay Aspin (Nipissing-Timiskaming) announced on Wednesday, November 26 that he was the Chair of a new Parliamentary Space Caucus that will focus on the priorities of the space sector. Aspin is also the Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Aerospace Caucus.

“The Space Caucus was established to bring together MPs with space industries in their communities for the purpose of better connecting with business and educational stakeholders, determining challenges and priorities, and creating a better framework for creating and pursing opportunities. The opportunity for expanding our local space sector in North Bay is important so we need to act on it,” said Aspin.

Aspin’s riding of Nipissing-Timiskaming includes the city of North Bay home to Canadore College which recently made news in partnering with Swiss Space Systems (S3) for testing components for S3’s future reusable launch vehicle designed to orbit satellites of up to 250kg. S3 recently completed the first phase of testing for that program in North Bay.

S3 preparations at Canadore College.
S3 preparations at Canadore College.

Aspin is a leading supporter for North Bay’s goal of becoming designated as an Aerospace Centre of Excellence. This past Friday Aspin chaired an Aerospace forum of local companies which included a visit by the Canadian Space Agency. At the event S3 announced that Zero Gravity Fights would start from North Bay in 2015.

This is another win-win for Nipissing-Timiskaming,” said Aspin. “As Chair of this Caucus, I will be also able to assist in the search for more projects, opportunities, research and investment in the growing space industry in our region. This means good paying, sustainable jobs for the region, particularly for our youth.”

The Parliamentary Space Caucus will consist of MP’s who’s ridings include space sector companies. A list of the new caucus members is not available as yet.

MP Aspin announces Aerospace Forum to be hosted in North Bay, ON – Dec. 9, 2013

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.