Prime Minister Mark Carney has appointed astronaut Jeremy Hansen as a special adviser on space strategy, signaling a renewed focus on advancing Canada’s presence and partnerships in space. Hansen, who participated in the Artemis II mission earlier this year, becoming one of the first humans to travel around the moon, announced his new role in a video posted on social media Tuesday. He said the position will allow him to advise both the prime minister and Industry Minister Mélanie Joly on space policy aimed at enhancing Canada’s sovereignty, security, and quality of life.
Minister Joly confirmed that Hansen proposed his involvement shortly after departing the Canadian Space Agency, with the goal of helping develop a new national space strategy. She described ongoing consultations with other Canadian astronauts and aerospace stakeholders to accelerate innovation and strengthen international collaborations.
Details regarding the length of Hansen’s appointment and compensation were not disclosed, as neither Carney’s nor Joly’s offices responded to requests for further information.
The announcement comes amid heightened activity in Canada’s space sector and reflects the government’s intention to build strategic partnerships with European space agencies. This shift has drawn attention from U.S. officials, who have expressed concern about Canada moving away from American private sector partners.
At the SpaceBound 2026 Conference on Tuesday, U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra acknowledged Canada’s recent decision to reduce cooperation with the American aerospace company SpaceX in favor of increased engagement with the European Space Agency. Hoekstra characterized Canada’s stance as a “move away” from the firm founded by Elon Musk and framed it as a significant policy choice given SpaceX’s prominence in space innovation. He also defended the U.S. approach of fostering competition within the private sector and cautioned against overregulation in the aerospace industry.
The evolution of Canada-U.S. space relations occurs alongside broader discussions on defence cooperation. On Wednesday, Defence Minister David McGuinty announced a $20 million agreement to operate a space launch complex in southern Newfoundland, complementing a similar arrangement established in Nova Scotia earlier this year. The ministry emphasized the importance of reliable and independent launch capabilities for satellite deployment, especially in light of geopolitical tensions and potential market disruptions. This capacity is seen as vital to maintaining continuity for military, emergency response, and government services that rely on space-based infrastructure.
Hoekstra also touched on the state of bilateral defence agreements, noting uncertainty over Canada’s future commitments, including airspace cooperation through NORAD. He referenced the impact of recent trade tensions and security deals, such as a U.S. agreement with Greenland, which aim to reinforce American security in the Arctic region. While expressing a desire to maintain close collaboration with Canada, Hoekstra indicated that the U.S. is prepared to pursue its strategic interests independently if necessary.
Together, these developments illustrate Canada’s ongoing recalibration of its space and defence policies amid shifting geopolitical dynamics and evolving partnerships.