Mr. Speaker, today in the House and across the country, we are mourning the loss of a great Canadian and honouring his memory. This man dedicated his life to serving his country, and his legacy will echo far beyond these walls. Canada has lost one of its most accomplished citizens.
From his early days as an officer in the navy and his pioneering journey as the first Canadian in space to his many years of service to Canadians as a member of Parliament and minister, Marc Garneau's life was marked by unforgettable moments and defined by one constant: service.
Whether wearing the uniform of the Royal Canadian Navy, the flight suit of an astronaut that bore the flag of our nation or the suit and tie of a parliamentarian, Marc Garneau served with honour, with humility and with heart. He inspired a nation in 1984 when he made it into space aboard the Challenger. He reminded us that Canadians could dream big and that we could aim for the stars, quite literally.
I was a young person then, and we forget how big an event and moment Marc Garneau's heading into space representing us all really was. When he returned to earth, safely thankfully, he did a splendid, incredible tour across this great country. When he would arrive in communities, throngs would be out to greet him, and Marc, who it must be said was a shy, humble and reserved man, would, we could tell, be bewildered, mystified and in total awe of the outpouring of emotion for him. However, I think he understood then, as he certainly understood later, that he became a powerful symbol of the achievements and accomplishments of this great country of ours.
A bilingual, former naval officer raised from humble origins who got into the atmosphere, Marc Garneau took the dreams, hopes and prayers of little boys and girls everywhere with him into space. Then right after making this history, he gave his next decades to building a better Canada right here at home.
As transport minister and later as foreign affairs minister, he showed thoughtfulness, discipline and quiet strength in every one of his decisions. He was a man of science, but also a man committed to the principles of democracy and diplomacy.
Marc was a colleague to many of us in the House. To a lot of Canadians, he was a national hero. Most of all, Marc was a kind, grounded and caring man. His passing affects everyone who still believes in a society built on knowledge, ethics and accountability. It reminds us that great statesmen can still exist, unassuming, yes, but essential. Marc Garneau leaves behind an inspiring legacy. His journey continues to show everyone that it is possible to dream big, to serve with dignity and to help raise a nation.
Marc was also a late-blooming but very effective partisan, as I am sure all my colleagues in this House will agree. In his first election, he was not successful, which is amazing to consider.
Marc Garneau ran in Vaudreuil—Soulanges alongside Paul Martin, our former prime minister. I remember campaigning with Mr. Martin and Mr. Garneau in Coteau‑du‑Lac. We went to an outdoor rink, but it was spring so there was no ice. Schoolchildren and all kinds of people had come out. I am talking about crowds that no other politician in the House could ever dream of attracting. When you come to a town with a leader and the candidate draws thousands of people, young and old, you know that things are going to go well. He was such a hero that even people who would vote against him wanted to come out and talk to this man, to see him and touch him. Of course, Marc later managed to get a seat in this House.
He took the work very seriously. As we all know, Marc Garneau was a committed Liberal. He was someone who was willing to travel across Canada to help candidates and supporters. He talked about himself and shared his experiences with Liberal supporters, but also with communities as a whole. He always combined his visits to Abbotsford, Vancouver, Calgary and St. John's, Newfoundland, with trips to the far north. He took time not only to meet with young people and schoolchildren, but also to do the hard work of rebuilding the Liberal Party of Canada at that time. This is the tribute that I would like to pay to him.
The person I was happiest to see being sworn in at Rideau Hall on that magnificent day in 2015 was Marc Garneau. A lifetime of achievement brought him there: a life of public service, military service, and service in space. Marc Garneau also served as the chancellor of Carleton University. He served as president of the Canadian Space Agency. A journey filled with such humble public service is remarkable. He was one in a million.
I have no doubt there are members in the House who had the opportunity to talk with Marc Garneau. He was quite reserved, even shy. Yet, if anyone asked him a question about what it was like in space, his eyes would light up, and you would see a man who was proud to have seen the Earth from outer space with his Canadian eyes and proud to have brought the hopes of young men and women with him.
Marc Garneau was far too young to die. He had so many other stories and wonders to tell us and so much more to give. We will miss him. Canada will miss Marc Garneau. Here in the House, we greatly mourn his passing. He was a great man, a great Liberal and, above all, a great Canadian. Thank you, Marc.