Landmine-maker moves to Vancouver

The following letter was written by Tony Thompson, Professor Emeritus, Department of Mathematics, Dalhousie University.
tony.thompson@dal.ca

Last week there were a number of news reports (The National, Globe and Mail, Chronicle Herald) about the proposed sale of the space division of MDA (MacDonald, Detweiler and Associates) to a US company.

The headlines usually referred to the Canadarm and the content of the reports said little beyond the fact that "it will still carry the Maple Leaf".

This trivializes several important issues. More important than the Canadarm is Radarsat-2, Canada's newest radar satellite which was launched with much fanfare from the federal government in December. This satellite is a state-of-the art Canadian scientific achievement. It can survey the arctic, report on ice conditions, spot unauthorized shipping and detect oil spills. It was built with government money and was to be wholly owned by MDA in a typical public-private partnership. It will now be wholly owned by the US parent company. As Marc Garneau said, it is ironic that a satellite that was billed as a great boost to Canadian sovereignty should now be foreign owned.

But the worst aspect of the proposed deal is the nature of the US company that will benefit from this purchase of Canadian assets. It is Alliant Tech Systems (ATK) which is a major player in the US military-industrial complex.

It took over from Honeywell the manufacture of many types of military equipment, especially weaponry. In particular, this company continues to manufacture various types of land-mines. In view of the land-mine treaty that has been acceded to by 155 countries, this violates international law. In addition this company is reported to be "the largest supplier of depleted Uranium munitions in medium and large caliber sizes". Finally, it is a major supplier of cluster bombs. To learn more about this company, visit www.alliantaction.org. This group of dedicated activists has been demonstrating outside the company's head office in Minnesota every week (Wednesdays from 7-8 am) for the last 11 years. During that time they have been subjected to 699 arrests (more than one/week).

Given the nature of this company, one must also question the uses to which data from Radarsat-2 might be put. But even without that, it is deplorable that material assets (Radarsat-2, Canadarm), manpower and expertise built up with Canadian government funds should be transferred to this company.

MDA bills itself as "Canada's space company". As such, a major portion of Canada's space budget goes to MDA. It is clear that ATK expects that to continue. Do you want your tax dollars to support this company? If not, please write to your MP, write to the media and generally make a fuss.