[Satellite Today – 4-10-08] The Canadian government has rejected the sale of MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA)’s satellite business to Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK), Canadian Industry Minister Jim Prentice said in an e-mail to the companies April 10.
    “As Minister responsible for the Investment Canada Act, I am writing to advise you that, on the basis of the information contained in your application and other information I have about your investment, I am not satisfied that your investment is likely to be of net benefit to Canada,” the e-mail read.
    ATK has 30 days to respond to the notice. According to press reports, this is the first time Canada has blocked a foreign takeover since at least 1985. ATK offered to buy MDA’s space business in January, including the Radarsat-2 imaging satellite. The deal has been criticized in Canada by groups concerned that the sale would hand over a key segment of Canada’s aerospace industrial base and technology to a foreign company.
    Bryce Hallowell, ATK’s spokesman, would not respond to questions, but said that discussions with Canadian government officials were ongoing.