MP Galipeau Inaugurates New State of-the-Art Satellite Station

GATINEAU, QUEBEC — 06/11/14 — Natural Resources Canada

Royal Galipeau, Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Orleans, on behalf of the Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, today inaugurated a new remote sensing antenna at the Gatineau Satellite Station. The antenna is one of a series of new, state-of-the-art antennas installed at satellite receiving stations in Gatineau, Quebec; Prince Albert, Saskatchewan; and Inuvik, Northwest Territories.

Announced in Budget 2012, $38.9 million was allocated for the revitalization of Natural Resources Canada’s satellite stations. The new state-of-the-art antennas, like the one inaugurated today, will prove to be powerful and cost-effective tools to help address important issues related to the safety, security and economic prosperity of all Canadians. The installation of these antennas will allow Canada to keep pace with advances in geospatial technologies and rapidly evolving capabilities to manage emergency response, shipping and navigation, and exert our sovereignty over our land and resources.

Quick Facts

Natural Resources Canada has operated the Gatineau Satellite Station since 1986. At present the station receives data from Radarsat-2.
Geospatial data received at the Gatineau Satellite Station is used for emergency preparedness and response, shipping and navigation, environmental monitoring, northern sovereignty and responsible resource development.
The new antenna will measure 13 metres in diameter and will be capable of receiving data and imagery as well as sending commands to satellites.
With this geospatial infrastructure for the 21st century, Canada has strengthened its position as a world leader on satellite technology and will use this technology extensively to monitor its land and borders for the safety and security of all Canadians.

Quotes

“Our Government recognizes the benefits of monitoring our land and borders, which will help address important issues related to the safety, security and economic prosperity of all Canadians. By replacing 20th century equipment with 21st century technology, we will ensure that Canada is able to receive and fully use data from the next generation of Earth observing satellites launched by Canada, the United States, Europe and other countries.”

Royal Galipeau, Member of Parliament (Ottawa-Orleans)

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Contacts:
Media may contact:
Alexandra Lemieux, Press Secretary
Office of Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources and
Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative
for Northern Ontario
613-996-2007

Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa
613-992-4447

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