Thirsk: Why Canada mustn't step back from space exploration

Canada is a nation founded by explorers. As a child, I enjoyed reading stories of our Indigenous Peoples, the Vikings, La Vérendrye, Sir Alexander Mackenzie and others. Their exploits are vital threads of Canada’s national fabric; their personality traits – vision, perseverance, courage – distinguished early Canadians from other world citizens. Their ambition inspired me, as did John F. Kennedy, who declared that we explore space “not because it is easy, but becaus