Legislation: Canadian Remote Sensing Space Systems Act (2023)

The document is a legal text titled “Remote Sensing Space Systems Act,” consolidated as of November 27, 2023, and last amended on April 5, 2007. This Canadian federal legislation governs the operation of remote sensing space systems. The document is bilingual, with sections in both English and French.

Key Provisions

1. Short Title: The Act may be cited as the Remote Sensing Space Systems Act.
2. Definitions: Various terms are defined, including “controlled activity,” “licence,” “licensed system,” “remote sensing product,” and “remote sensing space system,” among others.
3. Designation of Minister: The Governor in Council may designate a member of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada as the Minister for the Act’s purposes.
4. Application of Act: Binding on Her Majesty in right of Canada or a province, with provisions for modifying the Act’s application to certain systems operated by the Department of National Defence or the Canadian Space Agency.
5. Operation of Remote Sensing Space Systems:
   • Requirement for Licence: No person shall operate a remote sensing space system without a licence.
   • Activities outside Canada: The Act also applies to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and certain corporations and classes of persons with respect to their activities outside Canada.
   • Applications Licences and Related Matters: Details the application process for issuing, amending, or renewing a licence, including the form, manner, supporting documents, and application fee.
   • Issuance, Amendment, or Renewal of Licences: The Minister may issue a provisional approval, issue a licence, or amend or renew a licence, considering national security, defence, and international relations, among other factors.
   • Conditions of Licences: Licences come with several stipulations, including control of the licensed system, restrictions on transferring control, data availability to governments, and compliance with agreements and regulations.

Implementation and Enforcement

• Administrative Monetary Penalties and Offences: Establishes violations, enforcement officers, notices of violation, determination of responsibility and penalty, appeals, and recovery of penalties.
• Review and Report: Provisions for an independent review.
• Coming into Force: The Act comes into force on a day to be ordered by the Governor in Council.

Technical and Legal Aspects

• Legal Status of Consolidations: Notes on the official status of consolidations and inconsistencies in Acts.
• Layout: Notes on the layout of the document and annotations for convenience of reference.

The document sets a comprehensive legal framework for managing and regulating remote sensing space systems in Canada, emphasizing security, international obligations, and environmental protection.

• Tags
• Canada
• Canadian Space Agency
• Remote Sensing
• Space Systems