Canada reaffirms decision to block sale of space tech co.

Industry Minister Jim Prentice first turned down the $1.3 billion takeover bid last month for MDA's space division by Alliant Techsystems Inc., a U.S.-based munitions and rocket component maker.

But there was a 30-day appeal period.

It's the first time Canada has rejected a foreign takeover outright in the 19 years since the Canada Investment Act came into effect in 1989.

Prentice says the sale of MDA's taxpayer-subsidized space division would not benefit the country.

Prentice is also announcing a major contract between the company and the Canadian Space Agency.