Canada’s first astronaut, former minister Marc Garneau dead at 76 [Video]

Marc Garneau, the first Canadian in space who went on to become a high-profile federal politician, has died at 76 years old.

MPs rose for a moment of silence in the House of Commons Wednesday evening to honour Garneau.

He was an author and a pioneer in Canada’s space program, serving as president of the Canadian Space Agency.

Garneau later entered politics and was a Liberal member of Parliament representing a Montreal-area riding between 2008 and 2023.

He held many cabinet positions in Justin Trudeau’s government, including minister of foreign affairs and minister of transport.

A statement from Garneau’s wife, Pam Garneau, says he was sick near the end of his life but passed away peacefully.

“Marc faced his final days with the …