spacetoday.net: Groups raise objections to MDA sale

Posted: Fri, Jan 18, 2008, 7:41 AM ET (1241 GMT)
A wide range of individuals and groups, ranging from a former foreign minister to an autoworkers' union, are protesting the sale of the space business of Canadian firm MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) to a US company because they believe it violates a landmine treaty. Last week MDA announced it was selling its space business, which includes the robotic arms for the space shuttle and ISS as well as the RADARSAT spacecraft, to US company Alliant Techsystems (ATK) for $1.3 billion. However, the Canadian Auto Workers union, which represents some MDA employees, and former Canadian foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy are seeking to block the sale, arguing that it violates an anti-landmine provision signed by Canada that prohibits the transfer of public money to companies that manufacture landmines. ATK manufactures landmines for NATO countries and other allies as part of its armament business, and the US is not a signatory to the treaty.