Sale of Canada's leading satellite developer not ethical: engineer

An optical engineer in B.C. is urging Ottawa to block the sale of Canada's leading satellite developer — MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. — charging that the American buyer makes weaponry that kills people.

Paul Cottle, 31, resigned last week from his job of three years after the Richmond-based company announced it was selling its satellite and space division to Alliant Techsystems of Minnesota (ATK) for $1.325 billion, he told CBC News on Wednesday.

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"ATK is a company that produces weaponry that kills people indiscriminately — soldiers and civilians alike," Cottle said.

"Part of the reason I came to Canada was to avoid having my tax dollars go to support companies like ATK," the American said.

The sale has prompted other engineers at the B.C.-based company to consider quitting, CBC News has learned.