For immediate release: October 17, 2003

MDA's Third Quarter Earnings Conference Call Alert

Richmond, B.C. - MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (TSX: MDA) plans to release third quarter 2003 financial results at close of market on Thursday, October 23rd.

MDA will host an earnings conference call, featuring remarks by President and CEO Daniel Friedmann, and Anil Wirasekara, Executive Vice-President and CFO, followed by a Q & A session.

The call is scheduled to begin promptly at 4:30pm Eastern Time, (1:30pm Pacific Time).

To participate, please call the conference line approximately five minutes prior to the commencement of the call:

Toll free in North America: 1-800-273-9672

In Toronto: 416-695-5806

The conference call will also be Webcast live and then archived at:

Related Websites:
www.mdacorporation.com



For more information, please contact:

Ted Schellenberg
Media Relations
MacDonald Dettwiler
Telephone: (604) 231-2215
E-mail: teds@mda.ca