Editorial - 26-19

Earlier this week, Industry minister Christian Paradis made his first public comments on the federal Aerospace Review, which was unveiled November 29th. In addition to praising the work of companies in the aerospace and space sectors, Paradis acknowledged that industry is facing pressures and challenges ranging from the high Canadian dollar to competition from emerging nations.

What he neglected to mention were the challenges posed by government policies that make it increasingly difficult for companies to plan for the future and compete effectively. Take the government's primary program for assisting aerospace firms. The Strategic Aerospace Defence Initiative's terms and conditions are considered by industry to be so cumbersome and uncompetitive that the program is significantly underutilized.

Then there's the Canadian Space Agency — the centerpiece of the government's lackluster space program. Comparatively underfunded and operating without a long-term plan for half a decade, it's of little use to companies seeking a strategic partner to succeed in a fiercely competitive global environment. It has just one only major project on the books — the Radarsat Constellation — and it's years behind schedule and millions over budget. As a result, some of Canada's leading space firms are laying off workers.

The Aerospace Review is a goldmine of strategic information that gives the government ample insight into Canada's precarious participation in two critical industry sectors. Paradis says it won't sit on the shelf. A firm commitment to take action would have been preferable.