Â鶹´«Ã½

Skip to main content

Longtime Liberal MP Marc Garneau resigning, calls on colleagues to 'put away the anger'

Share

Longtime politician and former astronaut Marc Garneau has announced he is resigning his seat in the House of Commons.

The Quebec Liberal MP revealed his resignation Wednesday morning to his Quebec caucus colleagues, before telling the full Liberal caucus.

Speaking in the chamber for the final time, Garneau said it has been an honour to serve the country. He has been a member of Parliament for more than 14 years, including seven years in government.

“I consider myself to have been extraordinarily privileged to have worked in the Parliament of Canada, to have served my fellow citizens, Montreal residents, Quebecers and Canadians as best I could,†he said.

Garneau said he promised his family last fall that he would leave politics after tabling the final report from a committee he chaired, on medical assistance in dying. That report, which Garneau called a task of great importance to him, was tabled in mid-February.

“Nothing is perfect but I like to think that I always did my best to make it better and 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,†Garneau said.

On Parliament Hill, Garneau’s colleagues spoke of Garneau as an inspiration and a politician with great integrity.

Health Minister Jean Yves Duclos called the news a “shock,†while Industry Minister Francois Philippe Champagne described Garneau as a man of integrity who always followed his convictions and was always available.

“He’s an inspiring figure for those of us who came in 2015. He is a man who inspires respect and he is a man who inspires achievement,†Champagne said.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, who described Garneau as a friend, called him “a really good man,†while reflecting on his life of service.

“When thinking about Marc Garneau, we think about a man who has always served Canadians. Not only is he a great Canadian, but he was one of the first to inspire us by going to space, but also taking risks.â€

Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault said he's known and admired Garneau long before he entered politics.

"He has a long and accomplished career of public service for Canada and Canadians, and I'll be eternally grateful for everything he's done for all of us," Guilbeault said.

Garneau was selected as an astronaut in 1983, after serving in the navy. In 1984, he became the first Canadian astronaut to fly in space on Shuttle Mission 41-G.

In 2008, he was elected a member of Parliament, later taking on positions in cabinet including as transport minister in 2015 and then minister of foreign affairs. He was shuffled out that role, and out of Trudeau’s cabinet following the 2021 federal election.

The former Liberal leadership contender currently represents Notre-Dame-de-Grâce-Westmount, Que.

In his farewell remarks, Garneau said Wednesday’s speech would be his “final speech†in the House of Commons.

“My challenge to you is to find your better angels, and to put away the anger and false indignation. Criticize by all means, but do it with respect and maybe even wit. Make Canadians proud of this House and the people in it,†he told his colleagues.

Following his farewell speech, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and MPs from other parties rose to wish him well and shake his hand.

With files from Â鶹´«Ã½â€™ Senior Digital Parliamentary Reporter Rachel Aiello 

IN DEPTH

Opinion

opinion

opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster

A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?

opinion

opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike

When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

BREAKING

BREAKING

Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard has been found not guilty of sexually assaulting a young woman in northeastern Ontario eight years ago. The former Hedley frontman had pleaded not guilty to sexual assault.

Police have arrested a Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides and investigators say that they believe two of the victims may have been 'randomly targeted.'

A northeastern Ontario jury has started deliberating in Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial, we can now tell you what they weren't allowed to hear.

A teen charged with the murder of another teen on Prince Edward Island last year has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter.

At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building in Old Montreal early Friday morning, sources told Noovo Info.

Local Spotlight

Chantal Kreviazuk is set to return to Winnipeg to mark a major milestone in her illustrious musical career.

From the beaches of Cannes to the bustling streets of New York City, a new film by a trio of Manitoba directors has toured the international film festival circuit to much pomp and circumstance.

A husband and wife have been on the road trip of a lifetime and have decided to stop in Saskatchewan for the winter.

The grave of a previously unknown Canadian soldier has been identified as a man from Hayfield, Man. who fought in the First World War.

A group of classic car enthusiasts donated hundreds of blankets to nursing homes in Nova Scotia.

Moving into the second week of October, the eastern half of Canada can expect some brisker fall air to break down from the north

What does New Westminster's təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre have in common with a historic 68,000-seat stadium in Beijing, an NFL stadium and the aquatics venue for the Paris Olympics? They've all been named among the world's most beautiful sports venues for 2024.

The last living member of the legendary Vancouver Asahi baseball team, Kaye Kaminishi, died on Saturday, Sept. 28, surrounded by family. He was 102 years old.

New data from Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley shows a surge in supply and drop in demand in the region's historically hot real estate market.

Stay Connected