Documents show extensive lobbying efforts behind $210 million Nova Scotia spaceport
Records show company representatives secured meetings with a long list of influential federal decision-makers while pursuing support for the project.
The federal government has committed more than $210 million to the proposed Nova Scotia spaceport project, according to newly released documents that also reveal extensive lobbying and direct access to cabinet ministers, chiefs of staff and senior bureaucrats.
The disclosures come from responses to order paper question Q-1127, tabled in Parliament on June 10.
The largest contribution comes from the Department of National Defence, which confirmed a funding arrangement worth $200 million over 10 years. The agreement provides an initial payment of $20 million, followed by quarterly payments of $5 million every three months for a decade.
In addition to defence funding, the project received $120,000 from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and $10 million in financing from Export Development Canada (EDC).
That brings total identified federal support to more than $210 million.
The records also show company representatives secured meetings with a long list of influential federal decision-makers while pursuing support for the project.
Among those contacted were then-housing minister Sean Fraser, ministerial chiefs of staff, senior ACOA officials, deputy ministers and other federal bureaucrats involved in economic development and innovation files.
The extent of the access raises questions about how a project that has yet to launch a commercial rocket secured more than $210 million in federal backing.
The Department of National Defence has argued the funding supports Canada's sovereign launch capabilities and contributes to national defence objectives.
However, questions arise as to whether taxpayers are receiving adequate value for a project that remains largely aspirational while receiving a level of federal support that many established industries could only dream of.
Sheila Gunn Reid
Chief Reporter
Sheila Gunn Reid is the Editor-in-Chief, Alberta Bureau Chief, member of the board of directors, and host of The Gunn Show at Rebel News. Sheila also serves as President of the Independent Press Gallery of Canada. A mother of three and longtime conservative activist, Sheila is the author of bestselling books, including her most recent release, Independence Blueprint: What Alberta Can Learn From Quebec.
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COMMENTS
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Peter Wrenshall commented 2026-06-12 15:28:21 -0400The accompanying photo shows figure 8-shaped tire tracks on the gravel pad. It suggests that the “spaceport’s” main use at present is by local kids bringing their cars and doing burnouts in the gravel. -
Bruce Atchison commented 2026-06-11 21:12:37 -0400What a boondoggle. But Liberals have been crooked for many decades. It’s in their DNA to reward their friends and use the levers of power against their truth-telling enemies. The whole Ottawa culture is rotten. It’s why Alberta must separate.
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Bernhard Jatzeck commented 2026-06-11 14:24:44 -0400A suborbital rocket was launched from there yesterday but, apparently, the flight wasn’t entirely successful. It was attended by a number of dignitaries.
