Marc Garneau, First Canadian in Space, Dies at 76

Marc Garneau, the first Canadian to travel to space and a former Liberal cabinet minister, has died at age 76 after a brief battle with lymphoma and leukemia. Garneau made history in 1984 as a payload specialist aboard NASA’s space shuttle Challenger and flew on two additional missions. He later served as president of the Canadian Space Agency from 2001 to 2005 before entering politics in 2008, where he held major cabinet roles including Minister of Transport and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Garneau retired in 2023 and was widely honored for his contributions to space exploration and public service. Tributes came from across the political spectrum, with moments of silence in the House of Commons and recognition from schools and communities that bear his name. His wife, Pam Garneau, said he faced his final days with strength and grace, surrounded by family, and thanked the medical team for their care.