An Act to amend the Aeronautics Act and other Acts

Short title: Canadian Space Launch Act Bill C-28 (45-1) Status: At second reading in the House of Commons Type: House Government Bill Sponsor: Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons (Gatineau) Latest stage: First reading Legislative

summary <div>A legislative

summary is currently being prepared for this bill by the Parliamentary Information, Education and Research Services of the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive

summary is available.<br/><br/>On April 2026, the Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons introduced Bill C-28,

An Act to amend the Aeronautics Act and other Acts (Canadian Space Launch Act) in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. <br/><br/>Bill C-28 amends the Aeronautics Act to establish a legislative framework for space launch and re-entry activities in Canada. It amends certain

definitions to take into account new terms, such as launch vehicles and re-entry vehicles, and authorizes those terms to be defined by regulation. It also removes certain decisions related to launch and re-entry from review by the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada.

It expands the regulation-making powers, including in relation to launches and re-entries and the operation of launch and re-entry sites, as well as in relation to the application of certain international agreements and standards.<br/><br/>This enactment also introduces new authorities related to liability and indemnification for launch and re-entry activities.

It authorizes the Minister of Transport to indemnify owners and operators of launch or re-entry vehicles in certain circumstances, and when it is in the public interest, for their liability to third parties for loss or damage caused by their activities, and to require the owners and operators in certain circumstances to indemnify the Government of Canada for any liability to third parties for loss or damage caused by their activities. It establishes regulatory authority to create a distinct financial responsibility regime that includes the ability to grant exemptions or adjustments in specific cases.

It provides for emergency authorities to allow the Minister to stop launch or re-entry activities for reasons of safety or security. Finally, it establishes a scheme related to the development of zoning regulations for certified launch and re-entry sites.<br/><br/>It also amends the Carriage by Air Act, the Canada Transportation Act and the Secure Air Travel Act.</div> House of Commons — First reading: Completed (2026-04-21) House of Commons — Second reading: In progress Full bill text is not included in the LEGISinfo JSON export. Open the official Parliament of Canada bill page for the complete document.