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Alexander MacDonald, the newly named president of the Canadian Space Agency, speaks at a tribute to Marc Garneau during the Royal Canadian Geographical Society's Geographica gala at Canada's Centre for Geography and Exploration in Ottawa on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Patrick Doyle
By The Canadian Press

Ex-NASA chief economist tapped as president of Canadian Space Agency

Nov 4, 2026 | 9:44 PM

OTTAWA — NASA’s first chief economist has been named president of the Canadian Space Agency.

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly on Wednesday announced that Alexander MacDonald had been appointed to the role.

A government news release says MacDonald helped establish NASA’s Moon to Mars strategy and its Artemis program.

It says he has held several senior roles at the American agency, including senior economic adviser in the administrator’s office and founding program executive of the Emerging Space Office.

Joly says MacDonald brings leadership experience and expertise in space policy and economics, and understands that space is crucial to Canada’s national and economic security.

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MacDonald takes over from Lisa Campbell, who became president in 2020.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 4, 2026.

The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

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