Master of Global Affairs (’16) student Victoria Heath writes for The Canadian Network for Research on Terrorism, Security, and Society on the need for Canada and the Canadian Space Agency to reorient their space framework to better include security.

The three points of focus necessary for Canada are:

1) Create a comprehensive national security space strategy that would be a part of its Defense and Security S&T Strategy. It should take into account all of the security threats Canada faces regarding outer space, specifically debris.  The strategy should outline partnerships with other security space strategies, such as the EU, US, etc. This should be a priority of the Canadian Armed Forces military space program and the Director General (DG) Space.

2)   Continue to build private partnerships within Canada that may help serve their national interests, due to funding cuts to the CSA by the federal government and their insistence that the CSA reduce spending by 10% within the next three years. An example of this would be to continue building partnerships with “Quantum Valley” in Waterloo in order to promote innovation in more enhanced technology that will serve Canada’s security and economic interests. They should also continue to maintain partnerships with allies in order to promote intelligence sharing and military capabilities to offset any potential security gaps in its program. Currently, there are several efforts by the Canadian Armed Forces to utilize satellite technology for surveillance and military operations. These types of operations and partnerships should continue with the CSA’s involvement when necessary.

3)   Increase advocacy for the International Space Code of Conduct. Originally created by the EU in 2008, and revised in 2010, the Code of Conduct would establish “policies and procedures to minimize the possibility of accidents...or any form of harmful interference with other States’ right to the peaceful exploration and use of outer space” enforced by all states. The US opposed the Code in 2014 due to its language regarding the use of weapons in space for self-defense purposes. The Canadian government has already endorsed the Code but they must continue to pressure the US by any means to accept the Code in order to protect its own national interests. They can do this through several avenues, including the Space Cooperation Forum.

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