Work that could ultimately be worth $5 billion or more to the Canadian space companies is starting with a $2.92-million contract to help the government determine its options. The Canadian Armed Forces largely rely on commercial communication satellites in the North, Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr said in an announcement at Telesat’s Ottawa headquarters, and Fuhr’s hope is to replace that service with a military-minded solution by 2035. (The Logic)

Talking point: The deal is the first announced under the new Defence Investment Agency. The government is calling it a strategic partnership with Canadian-champion companies and an “innovative approach” that will yield better results faster and pump defence money into the Canadian economy. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly has said defence spending—under a yet-to-be-published defence industrial strategy—will favour certain large domestic companies, including MDA.