COM DEV International Micro-Satellite Initiative Funding Announcement

The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)

Cambridge, Ontario
November 30, 2009

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I’m delighted to join John Keating for this exciting announcement on the future of COM DEV’s micro-satellite technology.

I come to this announcement wearing three hats. I’m here as the Member of Parliament for Cambridge, and in that capacity, I’ve had the opportunity to tour COM DEV’s facilities in our community. This is a company that demonstrates the future of Ontario’s economy: a high-tech, knowledge-driven economy that taps into markets around the world. For 35 years, COM DEV International has proven itself to be a global leader in the space technology industry and a major employer in Cambridge. In fact, over the last five years, the company has added 450 new jobs here.

Secondly, I come here as the Minister of State responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. Our government is committed to providing greater economic opportunities for the people, businesses and communities of southern Ontario. 

As part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, we will invest $1 billion for economic development in this region and help build economic opportunities for our citizens, businesses and communities. In this year alone, the Southern Ontario Development Program will deliver $100 million in funding.  

And as part of the action plan, we have taken other steps to ensure that southern Ontario’s businesses will be stronger than ever when our country fully emerges from this economic downturn. The government has done this through tax cuts and major infrastructure investments.

There is evidence that our government’s actions are having a solid impact not just for high-tech, but for the entire Southern Ontario economy.

The third role that brings me here today for this announcement is my responsibility as Minister of State for Science and Technology.  Last winter, the Economic Action Plan delivered one of the biggest investments in S&T in our country’s history: more than $5.1 billion.

Our government understands the importance of supporting the high-tech sector and the vital role it plays in our economy. 

One of the great strengths of southern Ontario’s economy has been our capacity for innovation.  As we build for the knowledge-based economy, we pay special attention to the jobs that will lead to a prosperous future.

Nowhere is that more true that in Canada’s aerospace and space-related industries.  Ever since we launched Alouette in the 1960s, Canada has been at the forefront of satellite technology. We rose to the top in both communications and earth observation through innovations such as RADARSAT and SciSat, Anik and MSAT.

John Keating will tell you: in the satellite industry, there’s no resting on your reputation. You must constantly move ahead, constantly innovate.  And COM DEV is leading the way with its cutting-edge technology. This is another Canadian breakthrough. The company’s micro-satellites will be able to provide tracking and monitoring systems that are global in scope. The international market for this kind of earth observation will be measured in the billions of dollars. 

But let’s put the international opportunities aside for a moment.  Think of the potential applications right here in Canada.  These micro-satellites can be used to protect our waters. If a trawler is fishing illegally, if smugglers are trying to sneak ashore, if submarines are traversing our Northwest Passage – we’ll know about it. The satellites can be used to save lives: by tracking floods, or locating people lost in the Arctic or in Algonquin Park. They can be used to strengthen our resource economy by monitoring soil moisture levels or detecting forest fires.

Ladies and gentlemen, that is why I am pleased to announce that our government will invest $5.2 million in COM DEV International’s to help them develop and launch their first generation of micro-satellites. This initiative will take the company into an exciting new market poised for major growth, and strengthen Ontario’s position as a world leader in this growing market. This not only means new jobs here in the short term; it also means tremendous potential job and economic growth in the future as this technology takes off.

I look forward to working with John Keating and his world-class team at COM DEV as we drive forward economic development in this region and pave the way for long-term growth throughout Southern Ontario.

We will continue to spread the word that Canada is open for business, and look forward to welcoming the world right here to Cambridge.

Thank you.