Space Strategy for Canada
Investments in STEM activities
This Government will continue to use space to inspire Canadian youth to participate in STEM, including making use of the National Science and Engineering Research Council's PromoScience Program and the department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development's (ISED) CanCode. For example, the Ulnooweg project provides coding and digital skills to Indigenous students from K-12 in Nova Scotia, exposing these students to an array of STEM career fields, including AI and big data.
Delivering the Vision – Canada's Space Strategy (continued)
2 Inspire the next generation of Canadians
to reach for the stars (continued)
- Organize visits by astronauts and other inspiring speakers to schools across Canada: Virtual and in-person visits will let kids experience the wonder of space first-hand and learn about Canada's role in the Lunar Gateway, and see how a career in STEM can allow them to play a role in Canada's space program. Interactive activities will bring the Lunar Gateway mission to young Canadians across the country and help turn our bright young minds towards solving real challenges in space.
Gender and diversity in Canada's space sector
Space is a STEM-intensive sector, with over 40 per cent of jobs held by highly qualified personnel (source: the CSA's annual State of the Sector Survey, ). Through key initiatives outlined in this strategy, the Government is working to ensure Canadians of diverse backgrounds benefit from the jobs, skills and economic growth of the space sector, and youth are positioned to take on the STEM jobs of tomorrow. For instance:
- The CSA is committed to encouraging firms to actively consider women and underrepresented groups in their hiring plans related to Lunar Gateway robotics and LEAP activities.
- All Junior Astronaut activities will be accessible, inclusive, and easily available to all young Canadians.
- SIF recipients are also encouraged to develop hiring and diversity plans to increase the representation of women and diverse groups in STEM occupations and corporate leadership positions.