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

Former astronaut and cabinet minister Marc Garneau has died. He was 76.

A statement from his wife, 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 the first Canadian to travel to space as part of a NASA mission in 1984.

WATCH | Remember Marc Garneau's trip to space:

Chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton speaks with former Liberal minister of foreign affairs and Canada’s first astronaut Marc Garneau, about his life on this planet and outside of it: being the first Canadian astronaut, his political career and his relationship with the prime minister.

Garneau resigned from the House of Commons in March 2023. He represented the Quebec riding of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce–Westmount, formerly Westmount–Ville-Marie, as a Liberal since 2008.

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.

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.