Marc Garneau facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marc Garneau
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Garneau in 2000 as a mission specialist for STS-97
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| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office January 12, 2021 – October 26, 2021 |
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| Prime Minister | Justin Trudeau |
| Preceded by | François-Philippe Champagne |
| Succeeded by | Mélanie Joly |
| Minister of Transport | |
| In office November 4, 2015 – January 12, 2021 |
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| Prime Minister | Justin Trudeau |
| Preceded by | Lisa Raitt |
| Succeeded by | Omar Alghabra |
| Member of Parliament for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount (Westmount–Ville-Marie; 2008–2015) |
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| In office October 14, 2008 – March 8, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Lucienne Robillard |
| Succeeded by | Anna Gainey |
| President of the Canadian Space Agency | |
| In office November 22, 2001 – November 28, 2005 |
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| Appointed by | Jean Chretien |
| Preceded by | William MacDonald Evans |
| Succeeded by | Laurier J. Boisvert |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Joseph Jean-Pierre Marc Garneau
February 23, 1949 Quebec City, Quebec, Canada |
| Died | June 4, 2025 (aged 76) Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Alma mater |
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| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Canada |
| Branch |  Maritime Command |
| Service years | 1974–1989 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Space career | |
| NRC/CSA astronaut | |
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Time in space
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29 days, 2 hours, 1 minute |
| Selection | 1983 NRC Group NASA Group 14 (1992) |
| Missions |
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Mission insignia
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Joseph Jean-Pierre Marc Garneau (February 23, 1949 – June 4, 2025) was a Canadian officer, astronaut, and politician. He made history as the first Canadian to travel to space. This amazing journey happened on October 5, 1984. He flew on three different Space Shuttle missions.
From 2001 to 2005, Marc Garneau was the head of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). After his time in space and leading the CSA, he decided to enter politics. He was elected to the House of Commons in 2008. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Montreal until 2023.
As a member of the Liberal Party, Garneau held important government jobs. He was the Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2021. Before that, he served as the Minister of Transport from 2015 to 2021. Marc Garneau retired from politics in 2023. His family announced he passed away on June 4, 2025, after a short illness.
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Early Life and Education
Marc Garneau was born on February 23, 1949. His full name was Joseph Jean-Pierre Marc Garneau. He was born in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. He went to school in Quebec City and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.
Military Career
In 1970, Garneau graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada. He earned a degree in engineering physics. After that, he began his career in the Canadian Armed Forces. He served in the Maritime Command.
In 1973, he earned his PhD in electrical engineering. He got this degree from Imperial College London in England. His studies focused on how people see facial images. In 1974, Garneau worked as a naval combat systems engineer. He served on the ship HMCS Algonquin.
From 1982 to 1983, he attended the Canadian Forces College in Toronto. He was promoted to the rank of commander. In 1986, he became a captain(N). Garneau left the Canadian Forces in 1989.
Becoming an Astronaut
On December 5, 1983, Canada announced its first group of astronauts. These astronauts would fly on NASA's Space Transportation System. Marc Garneau was one of six people chosen. More than 4,300 people had applied for the role. He was the only military officer in this first group.
Garneau made history on October 5, 1984. He became the first Canadian to reach space. This happened aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. The shuttle reached low-Earth orbit.
Space Missions
Garneau's first spaceflight was on the Space Shuttle Challenger. It was part of the STS-41-G mission. This mission lasted from October 5 to 13, 1984. He worked as a payload specialist. After this, he was promoted to Navy Captain in 1986. He left the Canadian Forces in 1989. He then became the deputy director of the Canadian Astronaut Program.
In 1992–93, he trained to become a mission specialist. He helped with communications for several shuttle flights. He also flew on two more missions himself. These were STS-77 (May 19 to 29, 1996) and STS-97. The STS-97 mission went to the ISS. It took place from November 30 to December 11, 2000. In total, he spent 677 hours in space.
Leading the Canadian Space Agency
On February 1, 2001, Garneau became the executive vice-president of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). Later that year, on September 28, 2001, he was named president of the CSA. He officially started this role on November 22, 2001. Garneau left the Canadian Space Agency on November 28, 2005.
Political Career
After his time at the CSA, Marc Garneau entered politics. He became a Member of Parliament (MP). He represented the Montreal area riding of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount. He first won this seat in the 2008 federal election. He was re-elected in 2011 and 2015.
Early Political Steps
Garneau first ran for the Liberal Party in 2006. He ran in the riding of Vaudreuil—Soulanges. He did not win that election.
In 2007, he decided to run for MP in Westmount—Ville-Marie. He won this seat in the 2008 general election. He defeated the New Democratic Party candidate.
Serving in Parliament
As an MP, Garneau was part of the Industry, Science and Technology committee. He also worked with the Canada-Japan interparliamentary group. In 2011, he was re-elected. He became the Liberal foreign affairs critic in 2013.
In 2012, Garneau announced he would run for the leadership of the Liberal Party. He focused on the economy during his campaign. He was seen as a strong challenger to Justin Trudeau. However, he later withdrew from the race in March 2013. He then supported Justin Trudeau.
Cabinet Minister Roles
After the 2015 election, Garneau was re-elected as MP. On November 4, 2015, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed him Minister of Transport.
In May 2017, Garneau introduced a new law. It was called the airline passenger bill of rights. This law aimed to set clear rules for how airlines treat passengers. It covered things like compensation for overbooking or lost luggage. It also set standards for flight delays and cancellations.
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In March 2019, Garneau made a big decision. He decided to ground all Boeing 737 Max aircraft in Canadian airspace. This decision came after the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302. Canada was one of the last countries to ground these planes.
Garneau continued as Minister of Transport during the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. He helped make decisions affecting travelers. These decisions were made with the Minister of Health.
On January 12, 2021, Garneau became Minister of Foreign Affairs. This happened during a Cabinet change. He was seen as a very skilled member of the Cabinet.
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Retirement from Politics
After the election in October 2021, Garneau was not re-appointed to the Cabinet. He was still an MP, but his role changed.
On March 8, 2023, Marc Garneau announced his retirement from politics. He gave his final speech in the House of Commons that same day. A special election was held to replace him. Anna Gainey won his seat.
In retirement, he continued to speak about space travel. He believed human spaceflight was important for monitoring Earth and for communications. Marc Garneau passed away on June 4, 2025, in Montreal, after a short illness. Members of the Canadian House of Commons held a moment of silence to remember him. He is survived by his second wife, Pam Garneau, and four children.
Awards and Honours
Marc Garneau received many awards for his service. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1984. This was for being the first Canadian astronaut. In 2003, he was promoted to Companion within the Order. This recognized his extensive work with Canada's space program.
Two schools are named after him: Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute in Toronto and É.S.P. Marc-Garneau in Trenton, Ontario. He was also the Honorary Captain of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets. Additionally, the no 599 Royal Canadian Air Cadets squadron is named in his honour.
In 1984, he received the Key to the City of Ottawa. He was inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame in 1992. He also received several honorary degrees from universities across Canada.
Images for kids
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Crew members of STS-41-G in 1984
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Garneau in 1992, while training with NASA as a mission specialist
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Crew members of STS-77 in 1996
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Crew members of STS-97 in 1999
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Garneau floats in the hatchway that leads to Endeavour
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See also
In Spanish: Marc Garneau para niños
- Astronaut-politician
- List of Canadian university leaders
