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In other words, the Americans are asking us for another robot arm, and in exchange, Canadians will walk on the moon, just as previous Canadian astronauts have flown on space shuttles and served, even commanded, the International Space Station. (Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques, in fact, is scheduled to begin a rotation aboard the station just weeks from now.)

Photo by NASA/AFP/Getty Images

The Americans have made an entirely reasonable offer, one that would offer major benefits for Canadian science and industry. Canada’s development of advanced robotics and artificial intelligence expertise has progressed shoulder-to-shoulder with our participation in space exploration programs. Joining the program would also be a meaningful contribution to the advancement of human knowledge and a tangible sign of our commitment to peaceful international exploration and scientific programs.

The cost, likely several billion dollars spread across a few years of research and construction, is not insignificant. Nor are the benefits. This ought to be an easy yes for this or any other Canadian government.

This ought to be an easy yes for this or any other Canadian government

But Canada can’t, or won’t, commit. Ottawa claims that any such decisions will have to await the completion of our revised official space policy, you see. We’ve been working on this policy document for years. It’s already a year overdue. And now, the government says it will be ready … sometime late next year.

Offers to go to the moon, needless to say, do not come along every day. The American request is fair and mutually beneficial. The upside of Canadian participation — scientifically, economically and politically — is obvious. But we can’t get our own act together and commit (or decline, for that matter).

For a government that never tires of boasting that, thanks for its inspired leadership, “Canada’s back,” the Liberals sure seem reluctant to show up, even when invited.