Thursday, April 10, 2008

The federal government moves to block sale of MDA

From the CBC : The federal government on Thursday blocked the $1.3-billion sale of the space technology division of Vancouver-based MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates to a U.S. firm.

In a letter this week to Alliant Techsystems Inc., Industry Minister Jim Prentice said he is not satisfied the sale will be a net benefit for Canada, the minister confirmed Thursday.

Alliant has been given 30 days to state its case to win approval for the sale.


update from CTV This must have the "Harper is in Bush's pocket" crowd bashing their heads against the wall.


3 comments:

Reid said...

I left a comment on CTV's website regarding this that I'll relay here.

I have serious issues with the government dictating business descisions to a private company.

Now while I'm generally against nationalization of companies, this might be the best option with respect to MDA. If MDA has assets that the government deems vital to the national interest then they should buy them and take them over themselves. I know if I owned something and the government tried to tell me what I could or could not do with it I'd be pretty pissed.

Anonymous said...

Just like any conventional NDP government would do, Harper’s left-leaning government announced that they are going to interfere in the market place and reject the $1.3 billion sale of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Assoc to the loathed Americans. This is unadulterated anti-Americanism that would make Chrétien proud!

Far-left wing, ex Red Tory Jim Prentice acknowledged what most legitimate small-c fiscal and social conservatives already knew: Harper is not a authentic fiscal and/or social conservative. Extreme, left-wing comrade Prentice must be replaced: today!

Harper and most of his cabinet manage a centre left government that requires new leadership. This injurious intrusion in the market place is just the latest example of comrade Harper’s lunge to the far left. This is far from the government that us Reform and Alliance members sought or projected; it’s time for all grass root Conservatives to stand up and demand a leadership convention in the spirit of Mr. Manning!.

It’s time that us, genuine conservatives stood up for our fiscal and social conservative principles.

Anonymous said...

I guess I have a little protectionist attitude in me as I don't see this move in that bad a light.