National

Government introduces bill to support space launches from Canadian territory

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 21 Apr, 2026 10:09 AM

The federal government is introducing legislation to support space launches in Canada.

Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon introduced the Canadian Space Launch Act today, which will allow the government to regulate and oversee both launches and re-entry.

Officials said in a technical briefing the new rules will allow technology like satellites and rockets to be launched into space from Canadian soil.

They said the launches will serve both military and civilian applications.

The government says in a news release that, as the only G7 country without its own space launch capabilities, Canada has had to rely on launch facilities in other countries, especially the United States.

In March, the government announced it is putting $200 million toward a Canadian-owned launch pad in Nova Scotia.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Trudeau talks root causes of hunger at G20, will meet with Biden, other leaders

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau argues gender equality has to be part of any solution to solving global poverty and hunger. He is at the G20 summit in Brazil, where President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has made poverty the subject of the opening discussion among leaders.

Trudeau talks root causes of hunger at G20, will meet with Biden, other leaders

Fall storm could bring 'hurricane force' winds to B.C.

Environment Canada posted a special weather statement saying the storm will develop off the coast of Vancouver Island on Tuesday, bringing high winds and heavy rain to some areas starting in the afternoon.

Fall storm could bring 'hurricane force' winds to B.C.

Eby introduces new-look B.C. NDP cabinet in slim, one-seat majority government

Premier David Eby will introduce his new cabinet in British Columbia today after last month's tight election win that gave his New Democrats a slim, one-seat majority. Eby's NDP government holds 47 seats in the 93-seat legislature.

Eby introduces new-look B.C. NDP cabinet in slim, one-seat majority government

Claims open in $12.5M class-action settlement over WestJet baggage fees

Some travellers who checked baggage on certain WestJet flights between 2014 and 2019 may now claim their share of a class-action settlement approved by the British Columbia Supreme Court last month and valued at $12.5 million. The law firm based in Burnaby says the settlement will be distributed to class members in the form of WestJet travel credits, not cash.

Claims open in $12.5M class-action settlement over WestJet baggage fees

Avian flu detected at Chilliwack farm

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says avian flu has been detected at another commercial poultry farm in Chilliwack. It joins two other outbreaks discovered yesterday at poultry farms in Abbotsford, bringing the total number of infected premises in the province to 31.

Avian flu detected at Chilliwack farm

B.C. Human Rights Tribunal to expedite complaint from Jewish teachers' group

A group of teachers says British Columbia's Human Rights Tribunal has agreed to expedite a complaint of antisemitism against their union as more allegations surface. The group claims the union has "ostracized" the teachers either because they're Jewish or they hold "currently unpopular views" about Jews, Israel or the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas.