The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has released its 2023–24 Departmental Results Report which shows that it spent $450.8 million, which was lower than the $537.4 million it planned to spend.
The CSA did however spend 30% more than planned on internal services (services to support its programs). And spending on Canada in Space, the programs, was $371.4 million, down from the planned spending of $476.3 million.
The agency had $629.9 million “total authorities available” and the CSA said it “lapsed $168.9M in 2023–24, of which 95% ($160.9M) related to capital project funding envelopes (including the risk budget) that are reprofiled to future years via available carry-forward mechanisms.” Those lapsed funds will be available for future years. This is a common occurrence. The chart below illustrates this point, showing the difference between what is planned and what is actually spent by year. Even with funds being reprofiled, the CSA has consistently spent less than planned.
The CSA stated that “actual spending variances in 2021–22 to 2023–24” were primarily attributed to a:
- Net increase from 2021–22 to 2022–23 in Canadarm3 announced in the 2019 Budget.
- Net decrease from 2022–23 and 2023–24 in Canadarm3, due to continued changes to the Lunar Gateway’s requirements, economic challenges related to supply chain delays, and the non-completion of certain key milestones.
Cost cutting and less staff in 2024-25
The CSA grew its staff in fiscal year 2021-22 from 766.2 full time equivalents staff (FTEs) to 937, a 22.3% increase in staffing. This, the CSA states was “in preparation for the implementation of increased activities related to the Canadian space program with the success of several important budget announcements. This includes increased personnel in programs, as well as internal services that support these programs.”
This coming fiscal year the CSA is planning to cut their FTEs to 879.7 but then increase staffing again to 885.9 by 2026-27.
The CSA said it reduced spending in 2023-24 by $8 million as “part of meeting the commitment of Refocusing Government Spending.” The savings came by:
- Reducing professional services expenses, specifically consultants in management; and
- Reducing investments in CSA’s existing space capacity development funding programs and activities.
Less spending planned
Looking ahead, the CSA is projecting lower planned spending through fiscal year 2026-27. This is likely to change change depending on the stage of development of various projects, including Canada’s lunar initiatives.
The CSA stated that for the years 2024-24 through 2026-27 the variances are attributable to the following:
- New investment to support the International Space Station Program through 2030 announced in the 2023 Budget.
- Net decrease of investments in Canadarm3 (announced in the Budget 2019). Additional funding for this initiative is expected to be accessed in the upcoming years.
- Net decrease of investments in Gateway External Robotics interfaces (GERI).
- Net decrease of investments in WildFireSat (announced in the Budget 2022); additional funding for this initiative is expected to be accessed in the upcoming years.
- Response to the “Refocusing government spending to deliver for Canadians” initiative announced in the Budget 2023.
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