Registration opens:
September 18th, 2024

An Afternoon with Marc Garneau

Astronaut, politician, and author of A Most Extraordinary Ride

On October 5th, 1984, Marc Garneau made history. Blasting off from the Kennedy Space Center aboard the U.S. Space Shuttle and reaching a speed of 28,000 km/hour, he became the first Canadian to fly to outer space.

That monumental achievement, now etched in Canadian history as one of our country’s proudest moments, inspired a nation and ushered in a new era of space exploration for Canada. Twenty-four years later, Garneau made history yet again, becoming the first astronaut to be elected as a Member of Parliament.

In A Most Extraordinary Ride: Space, Politics, and the Pursuit of a Canadian Dream, Garneau chronicles his once-improbable ascent from a mischievous teenager and rebellious naval midshipman to a decorated astronaut and statesman who represented Canada on the world stage—both on and off the planet. With candour and humour, Garneau describes the highs and lows of his life and career, including the awe he experienced first seeing the earth from space, the tragic loss of his first wife to mental illness and suicide, sailing across the Atlantic and back in a sailboat called “the Pickle,” and witnessing the tragedy of the doomed shuttle Challenger.

Honest and illuminating, A Most Extraordinary Ride is a rare journey into the early years of Canada’s space program and an inside account of the joys and challenges of governing from one of Canada’s most distinguished citizens.

A Different Drummer Books will be on site with books for sale and signing after the talk.

Please note the event location is Port Nelson United Church, 3132 South Dr, Burlington.

This Culture Days event is presented in partnership with Signal Books and A Different Drummer Books.

Borrow A Most Extraordinary Ride from our collection

Accessibility

If you need an accessibility accommodation during this program, please register early so we can confirm arrangements a few days before your visit.