C-28Canadian Space Launch Act
An Act to amend the Aeronautics Act and other Acts
Government bill, introduced in the House of Commons on April 21, 2026
- Status
- At second reading in the House of Commons since April 21, 2026
- Sponsor
- Steven MacKinnonLiberal
- Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
What it does
Creates a federal framework for space launches and re-entries, with new rules for liability, emergency stoppages, and launch-site zoning.
What it does
- Establishes a legal framework for space launch and re-entry activities in Canada under the Aeronautics Act.
- Updates definitions to include launch vehicles and re-entry vehicles, and lets those terms be set by regulation.
- Removes certain launch and re-entry decisions from review by the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada.
- Expands regulation-making powers for launches, re-entries, launch and re-entry sites, and the use of international agreements and standards.
- Creates new liability and indemnification rules for launch and re-entry activities, including ministerial indemnity in some cases and a financial responsibility regime with possible exemptions or adjustments.
- Gives the Minister of Transport emergency powers to stop launch or re-entry activities for safety or security reasons, and sets up a process for zoning regulations at certified launch and re-entry sites.
Who it affects
- Launch vehicle owners and operators
- Re-entry vehicle owners and operators
- Launch and re-entry site operators
- Third parties affected by launch activities
- Government of Canada
- Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada
Background
The bill amends the Aeronautics Act and other Acts. It also amends the Carriage by Air Act, the Canada Transportation Act and the Secure Air Travel Act.
Where it is
House of Commons
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Current stage. Now here
Committee
Not reached.
Report stage
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Senate
First reading
Not reached.
Second reading
Not reached.
Committee
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Royal assent
Royal assent
Not reached.
Introduced by a cabinet minister on behalf of the government. Government bills get set time for debate, so they are the most likely to become law. How a bill becomes law
How the House voted
No recorded votes yet
What MPs said
Each party’s first speech on this bill in the House, from Hansard. Excerpts are the speaker’s opening sentences, unedited.
LiberalSteven MacKinnon· April 28, 2026
“It is a great day for Canada to debate this bill. As we know, Canada has a long history of space exploration, a history of which we should be very proud.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caConservativeDan Albas· April 28, 2026
“Bill C-28 deals with space launch and re-entry. It is not ideological.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caBlocXavier Barsalou-Duval· April 28, 2026
“That is why the government introduced this bill today. Does the Bloc Québécois see this in a negative light?”
Read the full speech on openparliament.ca
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: At second reading in the House of Commons. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.