Bill C-28 – Canadian Space Launch Act: Legislative Overview

On April 21, 2026, the federal government introduced Bill C-28, the Canadian Space Launch Act, at first reading in the House of Commons. The bill would establish Canada’s first dedicated federal legislative framework for space launch and re-entry activities carried out from, or into, Canadian territory. Rather than creating a standalone act, it does so primarily by amending the Aeronautics Act,¹ with related amendments to the Carriage by Air Act,² the Canada Transportation Act³ and the Secure Air Travel Act.⁴

For industry participants, the bill is significant because it marks a shift from ad hoc oversight under aviation legislation to a statutory framework tailored to launch vehicles, re-entry vehicles, launch and re-entry sites, and associated liability and financial responsibility issues.