In the US it’s not unheard of for former astronauts to become politicians, with John Glenn the best-known but not only example. A former Canadian astronaut appears set to follow in their footsteps: the Globe and Mail reports that Marc Garneau, the first Canadian in space and president of the Canadian Space Agency, is expected to be the Liberal Party candidate for a seat in the House of Commons. Garneau is expected to run in Vaudreuil-Soulanges, a Quebec riding west of Montreal on the Ontario border. The riding had previously been in Liberal hands until the last election in 2004, when Bloc Quebecois won the seat. While Garneau has not formally announced his candidacy, it will likely have to come soon: the CBC reports that a no-confidence vote in the House of Commons is scheduled for Monday. If it passes an election would take place in mid-January.
Hopefully he doesn’t get elected. Not that I have anything against M. Garneau personally; the Liberal party has been in power far too long and has become totally corrupt. The party needs to spend a few decades in the wilderness.