Marc Garneau may be one of the most famous Canadians of all time.
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He was a retired Royal Canadian Navy Officer. Garneau was the first Canadian in space and was also a long time Member of Parliament. That included time as the Minister of Transportation and Foreign Affairs.
Garneau announced his retirement earlier this year. He has begun writing his memoirs.
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Marc Garneau speaks to the school named after him Wednesday December 6, celebrating the school’s 30th anniversary (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
This week the Quebec native travelled to Quinte West to the school which bears his name.
Marc Garneau and Cite Jeunesse francophone schools, adjacent to Canadian Forces Base Trenton, celebrated the high school’s 30th anniversary.
Music from elementary students, a question and answer session, dignitary speeches and a presentation from Garneau himself, were all part of the day.
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(L-R) Rosine Unwali – School Board Trustee, Retired Astronaut Marc Garneau, Christian-Charle Bouchard – CEPEO Director of Education, Amine Aidouni – CEPEO School Board Superintendent, Marc Roy School Board Trustee – Conseil des écoles publiques de l’est de l’Ontario
Garneau says it is very humbling to be celebrated by the student body and staff.
“I come to the school and I see my name and it just sort of knocks you back. I know the school’s been called Marc Garneau for 30 years, but when you see your name up there, on the front of the school, it just sort of hits you. Wow! It gives me a huge amount of pride.”
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Artist Marika Leclerc created the painting at the main entrance of Marc Garneau. Principal Chantal Paquin-McAlpine unveils the work on Wednesday.
The former Minister of Foreign Affairs and of Transportation says his father’s military career brought him to Trenton on a number of occasions.
“I was never posted here but I came through Trenton on many occasions as a kid. My dad was in the army and he kept getting posted to places like England and Germany and of course in those days they had these big aircraft called Yukons, that used to fly Canadians and families back from their postings and they would land in Trenton.”
Principal Chantal Paquin-McAlpine says the high school was originally called module secondaire Cite Jeunesse.
“There was a vote in the community, with the parent council and they chose Marc Garneau. Obviously his employment as an astronaut, but then further on in politics. It’s been an incredible professional journey for him.”
Garneau’s full interview with Quinte News can be heard below.
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