Stephen Matier
President & CEO, Maritime Launch Services
Canada expands its defence strategy to include sovereign launch capability and Spaceport Nova Scotia is getting ready to launch.
The race for space is no longer about exploration but about defence, security, and technological autonomy.
As countries increasingly rely on satellite systems to support secure communications, intelligence gathering, surveillance, and missile detection, Canada is positioning itself to strengthen its sovereign access to space as part of the evolving defence landscape.
The Government of Canada has recently selected Spaceport Nova Scotia as a dedicated sovereign launch site for national defence missions.
In Budget 2025–2026, the federal government reaffirmed its commitment to NATO defence spending targets, pledging to increase defence spending to five per cent of GDP by 2035. Among the measures included in the federal budget is $182.6 million allocated over the next three years to establish domestic orbital launch capability.
Even before the announcement, however, a Canadian company had already begun building the infrastructure needed to support that goal. In 2022, Maritime Launch Services (MLS) broke ground on Spaceport Nova Scotia, now officially positioned as a cornerstone of Canada’s national defence space strategy on the country’s eastern coast.
From satellites to sovereignty
For Stephen Matier, President and CEO of MLS, sovereign access to space is becoming an increasingly important component of national self-sufficiency. “Sovereignty in space simply means Canada is able to access space independently rather than relying on foreign launch providers and sites,” he says.
Spaceport Nova Scotia is designed to change that by providing Canada with a domestic launch option while also serving international customers. “This capability allows Canada to deploy satellites more rapidly and securely,” says Matier. “It also contributes to NATO’s space capabilities and access to launch infrastructure in the North Atlantic region.”
Globally, orbital launch sites remain relatively rare, and many were built decades ago. “Spaceport Nova Scotia represents a new generation of launch infrastructure designed to support modern commercial and defence missions,” says Matier. “By adding launch capacity in a strategically advantageous location, MLS aims to help relieve a growing bottleneck in the global space economy while enabling Canada and its allies to participate more fully in the expanding space sector.”
Canada’s space economy prepares for liftoff
Space innovation is increasingly tied to economic growth and technological competitiveness. “Satellites support services that Canadians rely on every day, from communications and GPS navigation to internet connectivity, climate monitoring, and disaster response,” notes Matier. “Countries that invest in space infrastructure today will help shape the industries of tomorrow.”
Canada, he believes, is well-positioned to become a competitive player in the global launch market while strengthening its broader satellite, defence, and advanced technology sectors. “The space economy represents a significant opportunity for Canada,” says Matier. “It drives innovation, attracts investment, and creates high-value jobs.”
Preparing for launch
Spaceport Nova Scotia is now transitioning to operational status. “The site is licensed for orbital launches for small- and medium-class launch vehicles delivering up to five tonnes to low Earth orbit,” says Matier.
The company has conducted two suborbital missions, with two more planned in 2026. Canada’s first orbital mission from the site is expected in late 2027 or early 2028.
“Early mission activity is already beginning to generate revenue while the orbital launch infrastructure continues to be completed,” says Matier.
Spaceport Nova Scotia marks a historic milestone — giving Canada something it has never had before: a commercial spaceport of its own.
MLS is publicly traded on Cboe Canada as MAXQ.
