Canada - US Technology Safeguards Agreement

Canada and the United States have concluded substantive negotiations for a Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA), Global Affairs Canada announced Friday.  

The Canada-United States TSA, upon its entry into force, will establish the legal and technical safeguards needed to allow the use of U.S. space launch technology, expertise and data for space launches in Canada while ensuring the proper handling of sensitive U.S. technology.

The bilateral treaty-level agreement would allow American organizations to conduct space launch activities in Canada with local service providers.

“Today’s announcement is a clear signal that Canada is open for business and looks forward to welcoming U.S. clients to launch from Canada’s first commercial spaceport, Spaceport Nova Scotia,” said Stephen Matier, President and CEO, Maritime Launch Services.  

A TSA is designed protect technology. In the case of a Canada – US TSA, this would be to protect American launch and other space related technologies such as satellites, from unauthorized access by Canadian organizations.

When Canada signs a TSA with the United States, it would become the latest and last of the Five Eyes to do so. The Five Eyes is the intelligence alliance that includes the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Both sides will now carry out a final review of the negotiated text and seek to obtain necessary domestic authorizations for the signing of the agreement.