2017-18 Departmental Plan

Table of contents

• Minister's message
• Plans at a glance
• Raison d'être, mandate and role: who we are and what we do
  • Raison d'être
  • Mandate and role
• Operating context: conditions affecting our work
• Key risks: things that could affect our ability to achieve our plans and results
• Planned results: what we want to achieve this year and beyond
  • Program 1.1: Space Data, Information and Services
  • Program 1.2: Space Exploration
  • Program 1.3: Future Canadian Space Capacity
  • Internal Services
• Spending and human resources
  • Planned spending
  • Planned human resources
  • Estimates by vote
  • Future-Oriented Condensed Statement of Operations
• Supplementary information
  • Corporate information
  • Supporting information on lower-level programs
  • Supplementary information tables
  • Federal tax expenditures
  • Organizational contact information
• Appendix: definitions
• Endnotes

Minister's message

Our 2017–18 Departmental Plan provides parliamentarians and Canadians with information on what we do and the results we are trying to achieve during the upcoming year. To improve reporting to Canadians, we are introducing a new, simplified report to replace the Report on Plans and Priorities.

The title of the report has been changed to reflect its purpose: to communicate our annual performance goals and the financial and human resources forecast to deliver those results. The report has also been restructured to tell a clearer, more straightforward and balanced story of the actual results we are trying to achieve, while continuing to provide transparency on how tax payers' dollars will be spent. We describe our programs and services for Canadians, our priorities for 2017–18, and how our work will fulfill our departmental mandate commitments and the government's priorities.

Through the programs of the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Portfolio, we are working together to deliver Canada's Innovation Agenda—a whole-of-government initiative to position Canada as a global centre for innovation, create better jobs and opportunities for the middle class, drive growth across all industries and improve the living standards  of all Canadians. The work of the Portfolio also includes commercializing more research and ideas; providing more Canadians with the skills to participate in a global and digital economy; helping small businesses grow through innovation, access to capital and trade; promoting increased tourism to Canada; and supporting scientific research and the integration of scientific considerations in our investment and policy choices.

It is my pleasure to present the Departmental Plan for the Canadian Space Agency for 2017–18.

The Honourable Navdeep Bains
Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

Plans at a glance

For each of the CSA's Programs, key planning highlights that the CSA will focus on in 2017–18 are presented. They strive to fulfill the CSA's mandate and Government commitments to and for Canadians. All these initiatives are aligned with the mandate letter sent to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED), which states that the minister's overarching goal will be to help Canadian businesses grow, innovate and export. These key objectives also reflect numerous consultations and forums held with industry, the science community and federal government representatives throughout the last year.

Provide space-based data and services for the benefit of Canadians

The key initiatives of the Space Data, Information and Services program will be aimed at providing space-based solutions that are essential to the safety, security and well-being of Canadians. This extends from disaster response to precision farming and from tracking vessels in Canadian waters to climate change monitoring. Through its participation in the delivery of space-based solutions, the Canadian industry will expand its capacity both to build sophisticated satellite systems and payloads, and to develop value-added products and space-based solutions, thereby increasing the value chain.

These initiatives will also support other ministers in making investments that will make our resource sectors world leaders in the use and development of clean and sustainable technology and processes as stated in the mandate letter sent to the Minister of Small Business and Tourism. To this effect, the CSA will collaborate with other departments such as Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Environment and Climate Change, Natural Resources Canada, and Agriculture and Agri-Food, to address key responsibilities related to government priorities of climate change, and resource and ecosystem management using space-based solutions. It is expected that in FY 2017–18, Environment and Climate Change Canada's Ecosystem and Environment Assessments Program will be added to the current 38 Government of Canada (GoC) programs using CSA-enabled Earth Observation data or derived information to deliver departmental mandates. Earth observation data will also be provided to 17 research institution across Canada.

Provide innovative technologies and scientific instruments for space exploration

The key initiatives of the Space Exploration program in FY 2017–18 will be to leverage international partnerships to support fundamental research for new knowledge, and to identify and provide innovative technologies and scientific instruments as space exploration mission enablers. These initiatives will be carried out through four program elements: Human Space Flight, Health and Life Science, Space Astronomy and Planetary Science.

These key initiatives are expected to bring changes to the Canadian space sector by enabling highly qualified personnel to work on generating new knowledge that, in turn, may be transformed into technological development and innovation, helping businesses grow and export. They are also aligned with government priorities and goals expressed in the mandate letter sent to the Minister of Science which states that the ministers' overarching goal will be to support scientific research and innovation.

Secure Canada's future in space

The key initiatives of the Future Canadian Space Capacity program in FY 2017–18 will be to secure Canada's future in space by supporting space science and technology development initiatives and activities. In doing so, the CSA will support Canada's space sector to develop leading-edge capabilities, enhance its export growth, and create high-paying middle-class jobs.

These initiatives will also contribute to the Innovation Agenda which aims at encouraging Canadians to develop science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills to prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow. Space provides a highly visible means of motivating and inspiring young Canadians to pursue learning and opt for careers in STEM, as these are critical areas for an innovative economy. In collaboration with academia, industry and partners, the CSA will inspire post-secondary STEM students to choose careers in space by helping them develop the technical skills and expertise required to work in the space sector, and providing them with opportunities for employment. This will be done through various initiatives, based on the critical skills and capabilities needed to deliver Canada's space program.

Continuous Improvement Agenda

While the CSA delivers its space mandate to benefit Canadians, it is also imperative that the CSA continues to build a modern workplace and a culture of continuous improvements in the spirit of the guiding principles of Blueprint 2020. The Health and Wellness Strategy, aiming at providing a work environment that promotes health, psychological safety and working conditions conducive to wellness and vitality, will be key in achieving a well-being and a productive workforce.

For more information on the CSA's plans, priorities and planned results, see the "Planned Results" section of this report.

Raison d'être, mandate and role: who we are and what we do

Operating context: conditions affecting our work

Canada's space sector is made up of a wide range of participants who rely on the development and use of space assets, capabilities, and data. These interdependent groups are drawn from across government, industry and academia, and perform key functions in the space ecosystem. The Canadian space sector also exists against a dynamic backdrop of new uses for efficient space-based services, enhanced commercial opportunities, and expanded international collaborations in an increasingly globally competitive environment.

Key risks: things that could affect our ability to achieve our plans and results

In a rapidly evolving context, with various needs and a protracted timeframe to develop space assets, there is a risk that gaps will occur between services provided and the services needed by users. To mitigate that risk, the CSA holds extensive consultations with other Canadian government departments, academia, industry, and international partners before selecting scientific and technological areas to support. The CSA's collaborative approach will help identify and close the gaps between supply and demand and ensure a long-term perspective for investments.

A second risk pertains to space capacity in academia and industry. The Canadian space sector, especially small and medium enterprises, remains reliant on continued research and development investments to increase existing growth opportunities and seek new ones. To ensure Canada can seize opportunities to join international space projects, and with the objective of addressing future national needs and priorities, the CSA will work with Canadian industry and academic stakeholders to identify potential ways by which they can better demonstrate their capabilities and play a leadership role.

Many opportunities exist to take an increased role in international partnerships and cooperation. The CSA maintains an active presence within the international coordination forum, keeping for example permanent representatives at the Canadian embassies in Washington and Paris in order to support its relationships with NASA and ESA and to gather timely information on upcoming plans. But technical challenges associated with developing and implementing disruptive technologies and participating in space missions in collaboration with multiple partners represent another major source of uncertainty. The international aspect of most projects conducted by the CSA adds to these challenges. This can lead to scheduling issues and cost increases. In order to mitigate those risks, the CSA will continue with the implementation of improved governance, streamlined and efficient project management processes and financial monitoring tools. These initiatives will also allow the CSA to track and report on the progress of its commitments, assess the effectiveness of its work, and align its resources with priorities, in order to get the results it wants and that Canadians deserve.

Planned results: what we want to achieve this year and beyond

Spending and human resources

Planned spending

Departmental Spending Trend Graph (in dollars) - Text version

Departmental Spending Trend Graph (in dollars)

	2014-2015	2015-2016	2016-2017	2017-2018	2018-2019	2019-2020
Sunset Programs - Anticipated	0	0	0	0	0	0
Statutory	9,918,684	9,803,222	10,036,658	9,155,402	9,404,577	9,450,421
Voted	473,400,704	473,625,059	422,358,163	344,654,509	323,250,820	288,431,849
Total	483,319,388	483,428,281	432,394,821	353,809,911	332,655,397	297,882,270

Budgetary planning summary for Programs and Internal Services (dollars)

Programs and Internal Services	2014-15 Expenditures	2015-16 Expenditures	2016-17 Forecast Spending	2017-18 Main Estimates	2017-18 Planned Spending	2018-19 Planned Spending	2019-20 Planned Spending
Strategic Outcome: Canada's exploration of space, provision of space services and development of its space capacity meet the nation's needs for scientific knowledge, innovation and information.
Space Data, Information and services	175,496,334	209,187,061	190,502,084	115,240,643	115,240,643	120,578,228	89,831,556
Space Exploration	97,329,795	96,419,798	94,895,945	96,455,420	96,455,420	88,855,640	82,470,773
Future Canadian Space Capacity	58,018,955	61,804,033	70,873,949	87,170,086	87,170,086	75,973,949	76,954,189
Subtotal	330,845,084	367,410,892	356,271,978	298,866,149	298,866,149	286,407,817	249,256,518
Internal Services Subtotal	45,245,854	45,388,166	50,094,327	54,943,762	54,943,762	47,247,580	48,625,752
Total	379,090,938	412,799,058	406,366,305	353,809,911	353,809,911	332,655,397	297,882,270

The CSA's expenditure profile variation since FY 2014–15 is primarily the result of investments to develop the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) as announced in Budget 2010. The CSA has received additional funding from other government departments in order to complete the RCM funding profile. More information with regards to the CSA's expenditure profile is provided in the "Departmental Spending Trend" graph above.

The funding profiles of the CSA's projects and missions vary from year to year and therefore have an impact on the Expenditures, the Forecast Spending as well as the Planned Spending by Program. These variations are presented in the "Budgetary Planning Summary for Strategic Outcome and Programs (dollars)" table above.

Supplementary information

Appendix: definitions

appropriation (crédit):

Any authority of Parliament to pay money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

budgetary expenditures (dépenses budgétaires):

Operating and capital expenditures; transfer payments to other levels of government, organizations or individuals; and payments to Crown corporations.

Core Responsibility (responsabilité essentielle):

An enduring function or role performed by a department. The intentions of the department with respect to a Core Responsibility are reflected in one or more related Departmental Results that the department seeks to contribute to or influence.

Departmental Plan (Plan ministériel):

Provides information on the plans and expected performance of appropriated departments over a three-year period. Departmental Plans are tabled in Parliament each spring.

Departmental Result (résultat ministériel):

A Departmental Result represents the change or changes that the department seeks to influence. A Departmental Result is often outside departments' immediate control, but it should be influenced by program-level outcomes.

Departmental Result Indicator (indicateur de résultat ministériel):

A factor or variable that provides a valid and reliable means to measure or describe progress on a Departmental Result.

Departmental Results Framework (cadre ministériel des résultats):

Consists of the department's Core Responsibilities, Departmental Results and Departmental Result Indicators.

Departmental Results Report (Rapport sur les résultats ministériels):

Provides information on the actual accomplishments against the plans, priorities and expected results set out in the corresponding Departmental Plan.

full-time equivalent (équivalent temps plein):

A measure of the extent to which an employee represents a full person-year charge against a departmental budget. Full-time equivalents are calculated as a ratio of assigned hours of work to scheduled hours of work. Scheduled hours of work are set out in collective agreements.

government-wide priorities (priorités pangouvernementales):

For the purpose of the 2017–18 Departmental Plan, government-wide priorities refers to those high-level themes outlining the government's agenda in the 2015 Speech from the Throne, namely: Growth for the Middle Class; Open and Transparent Government; A Clean Environment and a Strong Economy; Diversity is Canada's Strength; and Security and Opportunity.

horizontal initiatives (initiative horizontale):

A horizontal initiative is one in which two or more federal organizations, through an approved funding agreement, work toward achieving clearly defined shared outcomes, and which has been designated (e.g. by Cabinet, a central agency, etc.) as a horizontal initiative for managing and reporting purposes.

Management, Resources and Results Structure (Structure de la gestion, des ressources et des résultats):

A comprehensive framework that consists of an organization's inventory of programs, resources, results, performance indicators and governance information. Programs and results are depicted in their hierarchical relationship to each other and to the Strategic Outcome(s) to which they contribute. The Management, Resources and Results Structure is developed from the Program Alignment Architecture.

non-budgetary expenditures (dépenses non budgétaires):

Net outlays and receipts related to loans, investments and advances, which change the composition of the financial assets of the Government of Canada.

performance (rendement):

What an organization did with its resources to achieve its results, how well those results compare to what the organization intended to achieve, and how well lessons learned have been identified.

Performance indicator (indicateur de rendement):

A qualitative or quantitative means of measuring an output or outcome, with the intention of gauging the performance of an organization, program, policy or initiative respecting expected results.

Performance reporting (production de rapports sur le rendement):

The process of communicating evidence-based performance information. Performance reporting supports decision making, accountability and transparency.

planned spending (dépenses prévues):

For Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports, planned spending refers to those amounts that receive Treasury Board approval by February 1. Therefore, planned spending may include amounts incremental to planned expenditures presented in the Main Estimates.

A department is expected to be aware of the authorities that it has sought and received. The determination of planned spending is a departmental responsibility, and departments must be able to defend the expenditure and accrual numbers presented in their Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports.

plans (plan):

The articulation of strategic choices, which provides information on how an organization intends to achieve its priorities and associated results. Generally a plan will explain the logic behind the strategies chosen and tend to focus on actions that lead up to the expected result.

Priorities (priorité):

Plans or projects that an organization has chosen to focus and report on during the planning period. Priorities represent the things that are most important or what must be done first to support the achievement of the desired Strategic Outcome(s).

program (programme):

A group of related resource inputs and activities that are managed to meet specific needs and to achieve intended results and that are treated as a budgetary unit.

Program Alignment Architecture (architecture d'alignement des programmes):

A structured inventory of an organization's programs depicting the hierarchical relationship between programs and the Strategic Outcome(s) to which they contribute.

results (résultat):

An external consequence attributed, in part, to an organization, policy, program or initiative. Results are not within the control of a single organization, policy, program or initiative; instead they are within the area of the organization's influence.

statutory expenditures (dépenses législatives):

Expenditures that Parliament has approved through legislation other than appropriation acts. The legislation sets out the purpose of the expenditures and the terms and conditions under which they may be made.

Strategic Outcome (résultat stratégique):

A long-term and enduring benefit to Canadians that is linked to the organization's mandate, vision and core functions.

sunset program (programme temporisé):

A time-limited program that does not have an ongoing funding and policy authority. When the program is set to expire, a decision must be made whether to continue the program. In the case of a renewal, the decision specifies the scope, funding level and duration.

target (cible):

A measurable performance or success level that an organization, program or initiative plans to achieve within a specified time period. Targets can be either quantitative or qualitative.

voted expenditures (dépenses votées):

Expenditures that Parliament approves annually through an Appropriation Act. The Vote wording becomes the governing conditions under which these expenditures may be made.