Well, we’re at a point in time when the choice of investing in the future is essential. A confident country invests in its citizens, in its workers and that is what we must always, always remember. Even at a time of difficulty, of challenges – sorry – of difficulties and challenges, we must always be able to see the future. 

Since the beginning of aviation and space exploration, Canada and Quebec, in particular, have been leaders. Our space and aerospace industries contribute nearly $29 billion annually to Canada’s GDP. They provide more than 218,000 good jobs across the country, and they support many communities, including a number in Quebec, like here in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. 

But even more so, it’s the work of this industry, including the work done by workers from here, that keep our modern world running. The GPS, the meteorological forecasts, climate surveillance, satellite television and the internet. These things would not exist without the workers in the space and aerospace industries. That is why our government is proud to champion aerospace.

As part of our growth and industrial strategy to build a strong economy fit for the 21st century, we're investing $250 million to help the industry get back on its feet after the pandemic. We're creating a National Space Council to secure Canada's future as a leader in the global space race, and we've earmarked $1.75 billion through our Strategic Innovation Fund to position Canada as a global leader in the space and aerospace sector.

But the work that must be done to support our industry, our ingenuity, and our workers, that work never ends. That is why we are taking action today. Today, with a loan from our government, Telesat will forge ahead with its Lightspeed network composed of 198 satellites, the largest space program in our history. 

This network will be built right here at the MDA facilities in Montréal, which will expand high-speed internet access, specifically in rural, remote and Indigenous communities. This network will modernize our satellite communications in order to protect our country and our NATO allies, and this network will support thousands of well-paid jobs that will stimulate development in communities in Quebec and the entire country.

When you think about this project that we're launching right now, you see real impact. You see not only the great jobs and the global leadership that workers here at MDA and across our aerospace industry are continuing to lead the way on, but you see impacts right across the country and around the world. Think of a far off, remote Indigenous community that has spotty internet connection, where the kids have to go to school remotely but can't rely on the connections to actually follow through. This is about making sure that they have affordable access to connecting with the world. Now, think of a distant mine or a forestry company needing to make sure that its employees, its workers can stay connected via FaceTime to their kids given the long hours and the weeks that they work remotely, building the grounding of our natural resources industry.

These are things that make a difference in people's lives. The world needs to stay connected and Canada, quite frankly, is one of those countries that does a better job of bringing people together than just about anyone else in the world. And now, we get to do that to some of the most advanced technology that the world will continue to need to rely on for decades to come. That's what this investment is about. Yes, it's about investing in satellites and space and all sorts of really cool stuff, but it's fundamentally about making sure that Canadians and people in more distant communities and smaller northern communities and in remote parts of the world can be connected to the transformation and the progress that the world is seeing at increasingly destabilizing speeds.

On top of everything that we're doing, Telesat will be investing over $4.4 billion back into the Canadian economy through research and development. They’ll be launching hundreds of co-op positions for post-secondary students, and they're providing scholarships geared towards supporting women and Indigenous youth pursuing an education in STEM. 

The good news doesn't stop there. MDA has already broken ground on 185,000 square foot expansion of this facility to accommodate the demands from satellites from Telesat, which will basically create the most advanced assembly line for satellites in the world, which, yes, is how we're going to get those almost 200 Lightspeed satellites up as quickly as possible, but how the world will then look to Canada to build reliable satellites quickly and affordably right here in Canada, creating even more jobs, creating hundreds more high skilled, good paying jobs right now and long into the future.

This is exciting. This is exciting for Montreal that continues to be a leader in aerospace but it's exciting for Canada that continues to be out there connecting the world.

This is a win-win situation for everyone. It’s a win for our innovative companies like Telesat and MDA. It’s a win for our workers who have access to more than one thousand good jobs. And it’s a win for everyone who needs an affordable high-speed internet connection for success. This investment in the future of our space industry shows what can be accomplished when the government believes in the importance of undertaking great things. When we put the G7’s strongest economic record at the service of Canadians it’s because we believe that it’s always possible to do better and we make the necessary investments.