In 1968, the Science Council of Canada recommended that Canada focus its scientific and technological effort on the creation of major programs designed to help solve some of the country's social and economic problems and, specifically, that a space program be initiated. The Canadian decision to become involved in space communication activities was based on domestic, geopolitical, and international considerations. The domestic considerations included a desire for the enhancement of telecommunications facilities in all of Canada, the hope of future economic benefits from the space industry, and the development of national and cultural integration. The geopolitical factors were: the need to enhance regional communications capabilities for the defense of North America, a desire to counter United States mass media infiltration, and the need to occupy radio frequency bands allocated by the International Telecommunications Union before they were taken by the United States. International considerations for the Canadian space program were related to the opportunities for Canadian industries to participate in future international projects. Canadian space contributions have been primarily in the innovative and pragmatic applications of the technology rather than in basic research. (TJ)