Marc Garneau, 1st Canadian astronaut in space, dead at 76

Former cosmonaut and storage locker government minister Marc Garneau has died. He was 76.

A financial statement from his married woman, Pam Garneau, says he passed away peacefully after a short illness, surrounded by his family.

"Marc faced his final days with the same strength, clarity and grace that defined his life," the statement says.

She says the family is grateful for the outpouring of support, concern and kind words received over the past few days and also asks for privacy "as we grieve this profound loss and take time to reflect and heal."

Garneau was born on Feb. 23, 1949, in Quebec City. He studied engineering physics at the Royal Military College of Kingston, graduating in 1970, and he earned a doctorate in electrical engineering from the Imperial College of Science and Technology in London in 1973.

He then began his career by enlisting in the Canadian Navy, where he served from 1974 to 1983. After that, Garneau became the first Canadian to travel to space as part of a NASA mission in 1984.

After holding various positions at the Canadian Space Agency, he became its first vice-president, then its president, from late 2001 until 2005.

"Marc was my role model, mentor, 30-plus-year close friend and an exemplary Canadian for us all," said former Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield in a statement. "My heart goes out to his family. The world lost a very good man."

In 2008, Garneau was elected as a Liberal in what was then the Quebec riding of Westmount–Ville-Marie. In 2013, ridings were redrawn, and he was elected to represent Notre-Dame-de-Grâce–Westmount. 

He served as minister of transport in Justin Trudeau's government from 2015 to 2021, and then as minister of foreign affairs from January to October 2021. Garneau resigned from the House of Commons in March 2023.

On X Wednesday, Trudeau says he was in school in the early 1980s when he first met Garneau. 

"I was in awe of his service and courage then, and continued to be so when I had the privilege of serving alongside him in Parliament and in government," says Trudeau.

"Throughout his life, Marc truly embodied and radiated the greatness of Canada."

Westmount Mayor Christina Smith remembers volunteering on Garneau's campaigns before he took office, and served on his riding association.

"He was so incredibly generous with his time with people, and especially kids," said Smith, recalling him visiting a robotics summer camp or reading Hadfield's book to children last summer. 

Everywhere he went, kids wanted to talk to him, she said. And not only was Garneau working to keep local organizations funded and attending events, he was also a Westmounter whom people would see walking down Sherbooke Street, stopping by the pharmacy or grocery shopping, she said.

"People got to see him. They got to know him," said Smith. "He was so respected. All the tributes you're going to see, they're so genuine."

Marc Garneau’s ‘extraordinary ride’ through space, life and politics

McQueen remembers how Garneau was known for showing up at community events and being involved on the local level, despite his busy life in Ottawa.

"He was an honest guy. He was a hard-working guy. He was a smart guy," said McQueen. "The people of NDG came to appreciate him."

David Lametti, former minister of justice and attorney general of Canada, described Garneau as a "hero to all of us." 

"And he will be missed," he said.

As transport minister, Garneau introduced Canada's passenger bill of rights in 2018 which includes measures such as prohibiting airlines from bumping passengers from a flight against their will. In 2019, Garneau described it "as a world-leading approach to air passenger rights that would be predictable and fair for passengers."

As foreign affairs minister in September 2021, he boarded an overnight flight on a government jet with Trudeau to greet in person Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, the two Canadian men detained in China for nearly three years. 

During his farewell speech in the House of Commons in early March 2023, Garneau thanked his family, colleagues, staff, civil servants and parliamentary employees.

He reflected on his time in politics and challenged younger Canadians to safeguard democracy.

"Nothing is perfect in this world but I like to think that I always did my best to try and make it better," he said.

"Although my gaze will remain on the future — as it always has — I hope that you, the young people of this country, will fashion that future and protect our democracy."

A moment of silence was observed in the House of Commons on Wednesday evening.

Journalist

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