Marc Garneau, the first Canadian astronaut to travel to space — who later served in parliament as a cabinet minister, including the Minister of Transport between 2015-2021 – passed away. He was 76.
“Marc faced his final days with the same strength, clarity and grace that defined his life,” his wife Pam Garneau wrote in a statement.
Garneau’s career began in the Canadian Navy. He later would come across an advertisement in a newspaper from the National Research Council, which was looking for astronauts.
According to NASA had invited two Canadians to join a space shuttle mission as thanks for their work on the Canadarm. He made his first flight into space in October 1984.
After a distinguished career in aerospace, Garneau was elected as a Liberal MP in the Montreal-area riding of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce. He was named minister for foreign affairs and transportation.
The Canadian Trucking Alliance had worked closely with Garneau on several important issues and staff remember him fondly.
“We send our condolences to the family and friends of the Honourable Marc Garneau – a Canadian hero, great leader, and man of integrity and commitment,” said CTA president and CEO, Stephen Laskowski. “Minister Garneau was always committed to truck safety and led the industry through the process to adopt a third party certified ELD regime and a national entry level training standard (ELT) for truck drivers in Canada. His legacy in truck safety will always be significant.”
“He was a good person and always did the right. He was one of the longest serving transport ministers during very important times. He was pure class.”