The Copernicus Sentinel-3B rocket is seen at the top of the launch tower in this undated handout photo. An international Inuit group is angry they weren’t informed that a rocket stage likely containing highly toxic fuel is set to splash down in waters they routinely hunt for food. The rocket is a repurposed Russian missile being used to launch a satellite for the European Space Agency. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Stephane Corvaja, European Space Agency
An international Inuit group is angry they weren't informed that a rocket stage likely containing highly toxic fuel is set to splash down in waters they routinely hunt for food.
Okalik Eegeesiak of the Inuit Circumpolar Commission said communities learned about Wednesday's splashdown through news reports.
The rocket is a repurposed Russian missile being used to launch a satellite for the European Space Agency.
Eegeesiak says the launch violates the principles of free, prior and informed consent as well as federal promises to protect Canada's oceans.
Canada is an associate member of the European Space Agency and routinely contributes over $20 million a year to its operation.
Federal documents say that membership is supposed to give Canada influence in the agency's decisions.
