Canada will boost its investment in European Space Agency (ESA) programs by CA$528.5 million ($376 million USD), a tenfold increase, according to the Canadian Space Agency.

The [1]jump has come in the face of the US tariffs and an urgent need to diversify the country's economy. Cozying up with the EU would also be no bad thing for the country, given the unpredictable nature of its neighbor. However, it is important to note that ESA is an international organization in its own right.

Canada has been a Cooperating State with ESA since 1979, although its contribution to the agency's budget is tiny compared to the likes of France and Germany. However, according to the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), every dollar awarded to Canadian businesses through ESA contracts generates more than three dollars in follow-on sales.

[2]

Where the money will go will be decided at the upcoming ESA Ministerial Council, scheduled for November 26–27. The Ministerial Council meetings tend to occur every three or four years, and it is expected that Canada's increased contribution would be spread over a period of three to five years.

[3]

In a statement, Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, said, "This historic investment to European Space Agency programs creates new opportunities for Canada's world-renowned space sector to thrive globally, advance technologies and build a competitive and resilient industrial base that serves our national interests."

[4]Avio bags €40M ESA contract for reusable rocket stage, but don't hold your breath

[5]ESA tests bacterial powder to feed Moon and Mars crews

[6]Like Apollo before them, ESA astronauts hone lunar landing skills in helicopters

[7]ESA engineers trace anomaly in silent Juice spacecraft to a bug in the code

David J. McGuinty, Canada's Minister of National Defence, said, "Research and development are not luxuries – they are the frontline of defence in a world of emerging threats. Canada's strength lies in its ability to adapt and lead in a sector defined by rapid advancements. Canada's close relationship with the European Space Agency allows the Defence Team to present a ready and resilient force, prepared for the future."

Canada has long been a major player in the space arena. One of its astronauts, Jeremy Hansen, will be launched on NASA's Artemis II mission around the Moon, and another, Joshua Kutryk, is set for the Starliner-1 mission, should Boeing's Calamity Capsule reach operational status. It has also been responsible for space hardware, including the Canadarm of the Space Shuttle and the Canadarm2, which is currently attached to the International Space Station (ISS). ®

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[1] https://www.canada.ca/en/space-agency/news/2025/11/canada-deepens-space-ties-with-europe-through-historic-investment.html

[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2aR5MCnb8tPMrSxFD5RSXGAAAAEo&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0

[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44aR5MCnb8tPMrSxFD5RSXGAAAAEo&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0

[4] https://www.theregister.com/2025/10/02/esa_avio_upper_stage/

[5] https://www.theregister.com/2025/11/03/esa_launches_study_phase_of/

[6] https://www.theregister.com/2025/10/20/esa_helicopter_training/

[7] https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/26/juice_communications_bug/

[8] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/