Space Advisory Board to provide government with "unvarnished criticism" of space policy

Industry Canada has announced the members of a new Space Advisory Board (ASB), fulfilling a recommendation made in 2012 by the Aerospace Advisory Council chaired by David Emerson. The ASB was announced at the annual conference of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) by Industry minister James Moore who pledged that the new body would provide the government with "unvarnished, thoughtful and constructive criticism on how to move policy forward … in a meaningful way".

The Emerson panel recommended that the ASB be chaired by the president of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) – a position that's currently vacant following the re-assignment earlier this month of Walter Natynczyk to VP Veteran Affairs (R$, November 12/14). Moore said he told each of the ASB members that their appointment was "not going to be a waste of time".

"This is going to be a significant and important contribution to Canada … We're going to get together and we're going to have some very productive conversations on how to move forward," said Moore. "All of you should leave this place today with a great deal of confidence with the quality of people coming together and our ongoing commitment to have a very productive and serious policy when it comes to space."

The government has accepted several recommendations made by the Emerson panel for the aerospace portion of its report. But it has yet to move on the recommendation that the CSA's core budget be stabilized "in real dollar terms, for a 10-year period". The CSA's budget has declined in recent years and industry officials say that without greater government assistance, the industry sector won't be able to sustain itself, not to mention grow and expand into new markets. Moore indirectly acknowledged that more needs to be done before the space sector is placed on a firm leadership and financial footing.

"It's true there have been changes at the head of the Canadian Space Agency and it's true there have been some difficult budget decisions made at the (CSA), " said Moore.

Space Policy Framework

Earlier this year, Industry Canada released a brief Space Policy Framework to "provide the foundation for the next phase of our country's space program" through strategic coordination of priorities and commitments.

The framework is based on five core principles: Canadian interests first; positioning the private sector at the forefront of space activities; progress through partnerships; excellence in key capabilities; and, inspiring Canadians. Those principles will be used to frame four areas of action: commercialization, R&D, exploration of space and stewardship, management and accountability. The latter area includes the SAB and a commitment to establish an internal committee chaired by a DM to review space objectives and expenditures.

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