Investing in Canadian companies to harness space data and solve challenges on Earth
smartEarth contributions will support job creation and innovation across Canada
LONGUEUIL, QC, Nov. 24, 2020 /CNW/ - The unique data collected by satellites is rapidly becoming the raw material of the digital age. When combined with artificial intelligence and powerful computing, space data promises to unlock the potential for a multitude of new cutting-edge applications to meet today's and tomorrow's challenges on Earth.
The Government of Canada is helping Canadian companies take full advantage of the opportunities enabled by space. Under the Canadian Space Agency's (CSA's) smartEarth initiative, 16 companies across Canada are receiving contributions to advance research and development (R&D) projects that will develop approaches to maximize the use of Earth observation data with advanced disruptive technologies.
The R&D projects are diverse. Some focus on enabling access to data or advancing data analytics that combine multiple types of data. Others aim to maximize the use of data and develop innovative applications to help monitor and protect Earth and its environment by, for example, mapping changes in our forests, taking stock of wetlands and detecting methane emissions in our atmosphere.
It is anticipated that 240 new jobs will be created across Canada through these contributions.
Organization
Location Contribution value
---
ADGA Group
Consultants
Inc.
Ottawa, Ontario $300,000
---
Arctus Inc. Sainte-Pétronille, Quebec $299,995
---
ASL
Environmental
Sciences Inc. Saanichton, British Columbia $299,989
---
A.U.G. Signals
Ltd.
Toronto, Ontario $299,853
---
BGC Engineering
Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia $299,430
---
Complex System
Inc.
Calgary, Alberta $293,738
---
Dromadaire Géo
Innovations
Inc.
Montreal, Quebec $84,483
---
GHGSat Inc.
Montreal, Quebec $300,000
---
Global Spatial
Technology
Solutions Inc. Dartmouth, Nova Scotia $279,642
---
HabitatSeven
Inc.
Ottawa, Ontario $216,401
---
Hatfield North Vancouver, British
Consultants Columbia
LLP $192,161
---
MDA Geospatial
Services Inc. Richmond, British Columbia $157,924
---
MDA Systems
Ltd. Richmond, British Columbia $300,000
---
NorthStar Earth
and Space Inc.
Montreal, Quebec $299,575
---
OODA
Technologies
Inc.
Montreal, Quebec $295,154
---
Vertex
Professional
Services Ltd. Sherwood Park, Alberta $300,000
---
Quick facts
-- There is growing demand for Earth observation (EO) satellite data across
Canada and around the world. Annual demand for EO data and services is
projected to grow from just over $3 billion to $9 billion within 10
years.
-- smartEarth is a CSA funding initiative that supports Canadian
organizations in developing innovative applications that use EO data to
solve challenges on Earth.
-- By supporting the development of capabilities within industry and
research communities, smartEarth enhances the competitiveness of
Canadian businesses and generates growth and economic benefits for
Canadians.
Quote
"The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that our country remains a world leader in acquiring and using satellite data to support science excellence, innovation and economic growth. It is with investments like these smartEarth contributions that we will be able to embrace the potential of space data to grow Canada's economy and create the jobs of tomorrow."
The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
Links
smartEarth
Bridging the Information Gap with Space-Based Analytics (AO)
Space data: blueprint for our future (Video)
Satellites in our everyday lives
Follow us on social media
SOURCE Canadian Space Agency
