The Government of Canada recognizes the Canadarm Deployment in Space in 1981 as a national historic event

OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 4, 2026 /CNW/ -- Today, Wade Grant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, on behalf of the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, alongside representatives from the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada and the Canadian Space Agency, attended a plaque unveiling ceremony at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa to commemorate the national significance of the Canadarm Deployment in Space, 1981.  

Developed in the 1970s, the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System, known as "Canadarm" and "bras canadien" was a highly sophisticated and manoeuvrable robotic arm that represented a landmark achievement in Canadian technological innovation. Its creation was the result of decades of scientific research and collaboration between Canadian industry, the scientific community, and government.

First deployed in space in 1981 aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, Canadarm, emblazoned with the word "Canada" and the national flag, served as an inspiration to Canadians. It played a key role in many ways: it put satellites into orbit and captured them for repair, supported astronauts during spacewalks, and helped assemble the International Space Station along with Canadarm2.

The Government of Canada, through Parks Canada and the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, recognizes significant people, places, and events that shaped this country as one way of helping Canadians connect with their past. By sharing these stories with Canadians, we hope to foster understanding of and reflection on the diverse histories, cultures, legacies, and realities of Canada's past and present.

The designation process under Parks Canada's National Program of Historical Commemoration is driven by public nominations. To nominate a person, place or historic event in your community, please visit the Parks Canada website for more information: https://parks.canada.ca/culture/designation/proposer-nominate.

Quotes

"The 1981 Canadarm deployment in space was a defining moment in our national story. It proved that Canadian ingenuity could reach beyond our borders and into space, and the pride Canadians felt was shared across the country. Canadarm supported space exploration, and over time, it helped shape it. It remains a powerful symbol of who we are as a country, and the ambition we bring to reach new horizons."

The Honourable Julie Dabrusin
Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature

"For 45 years, Canadarm has shown the world what Canada can achieve when we invest in our people, our ideas, and our ability to innovate. That legacy has made Canada a trusted partner in space exploration and created opportunities for generations of Canadian scientists, engineers, and astronauts. As we return to the Moon and explore further into deep space, Canada will be there, building on our expertise in innovation and space technology, creating new opportunities here at home, and ensuring Canadian talent continues to play a key role in shaping the future of space exploration."

The Honourable Mélanie Joly 
Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

Quick Facts

• Canadarm was a robotic arm designed to fit onto space shuttles and to be manipulated by astronauts within the shuttle. It was 15.2 m long and 38 cm in diameter, weighed 410 kg, and was able to lift and move extremely heavy payloads in the weightlessness of space.
• From 1981 to 2011, Canadarm was used in 90 space shuttle missions, such as deploying and repairing the Hubble Space Telescope and assembling the International Space Station, where Canadarm2 is now in operation.
• Established in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the minister responsible for Parks Canada on the national significance of persons, places, and events that have marked Canada's history. To date, more than 2,280 designations have been made nationwide.
• Together with Parks Canada, the Board ensures that subjects of national historic significance are recognized under Parks Canada's National Program of Historical Commemoration, and these important stories are shared with Canadians.
• Parks Canada is committed to working with Canadians in our efforts to tell broader, more inclusive stories in the places that it manages. In support of this goal, the Framework for History and Commemoration outlines a comprehensive and engaging approach to sharing Canada's history through diverse perspectives.

Related Documents

Backgrounder - Canadarm Deployment in Space, 1981

Related Links

Parks Canada
Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada
National historic designations

SOURCE Parks Canada (HQ)

Contacts: Amy Falkner, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 873-355-9725, [email protected]; Fatima-Zohra Hamidi, Public Relations and Communications Officer, Eastern and Central Ontario Field Unit, Parks Canada, [email protected]