Article content

Canada is a major spacefaring nation. Our International Space Station partners have long recognized our leadership in many niche areas of space exploration, science and technology, and we have a quiet sense of pride in knowing the Canadarm was used to build the International Space Station.

But, while our partners are planning to return to the moon in preparation for human missions to Mars, we seem to be struggling with the imperative for Canada to be involved. And yet a choice to reinvigorate the aerospace sector, creating a thriving space program, advances at least four of our national priorities.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Williams: Canada must continue to be a spacefaring nation. Here’s why Back to video

• Our commitment to knowledge: Canadian universities do a fabulous job of educating world-class engineers and scientists, but many graduates can’t find employment. Where might the Canadian aerospace sector be today had the Avro Arrow project in Canada in the late 1950s continued?

Its cancellation helped propel NASA to success in the 1960s when some 25 Canadian Avro engineers joined NASA’s Space Task Group, becoming the lead engineers and program managers who helped put humans on the moon. A vibrant space program helps ensure that we have challenging and rewarding work for our best and brightest so they can help build and grow a thriving economy here at home.