Dr. Garneau will replace Mr. Mac Evans who, after 35 years of distinguished service in the Canadian Space Program including seven as President of the CSA, will be retiring from the Public Service of Canada.

"Mr. Evans should be commended for his exceptional contribution to the vision and excellence of the public service and for his continuing commitment to the leadership of the Canadian Space Agency," said Minister Tobin. "The time-honored reputation enjoyed by our Canadian Space Program and the renown earned both in Canada and abroad, I believe, are directly attributable to his commitment to excellence, innovation and dedication to reach beyond the envelope."

Established in 1989, with its headquarters located in Saint Hubert, Quebec, the Canadian Space Agency coordinates all aspects of the Canadian Space Program and ensures that Canadians in all regions learn and benefit from the development and application of space knowledge, science and technology. It supports and promotes a highly competitive space industry, contributes to the sustainable development of Canada and the world, and fosters initiatives to increase awareness of the Canadian Space Program throughout the world.

With almost half of Canadas Gross Domestic Product growth in the knowledge-intensive sectors of the economy, the Canadian Space Program is a key driver behind continued leadership on the world stage.

Based on extensive and open consultation with Canadian stakeholders, opportunities are identified for potential cooperation with international partners in the areas of: Earth and the Environment; Space Science; Human Presence in Space; Satellite Communications; Space Qualification Services; Awareness and; in the development of Generic Space Technologies.

Canadian participation in these key sectors are providing new opportunities for industry and scientists, and long-term social and economic benefits for all Canadians.

Garneau's space log

Garneau has made three trips into space flying aboard NASA's space shuttle. Here from NASA is a summary of his spaceflight experience:

• STS-41G (October 5-13, 1984) was an eight-day mission aboard Space Shuttle Challenger. Dr. Garneau was the first Canadian to fly on NASAs first mission to carry a seven-person crew. During 133 orbits of the earth in 3.4 million miles, the crew deployed the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite, conducted scientific observations of the earth with the OSTA-3 pallet and Large Format Camera (LFC), performed numerous in-cabin experiments, activated eight "Getaway Special" canisters, and demonstrated potential satellite refueling with an EVA and associated hydrazine transfer. Mission duration was 197 hours 23 minutes.

• STS-77 (May 19-29, 1996) was a ten-day mission aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour. During 160 orbits of the earth in 4.1 million miles, the crew deployed two satellites -- the SPARTAN satellite which carried the Inflatable Antenna Experiment designed to test the concept of large, inflatable space structures; and the small Satellite Test Unit designed to test the concept of self-stabilization by using aerodynamic forces and magnetic damping -- conducted twelve materials processing, fluid physics and biotechnology experiments in the Spacehab laboratory module carried in Endeavours payload bay. Mission duration was 240 hours and 39 minutes.

• STS-97 Endeavour (November 30 to December December 11, 2000) was the fifth Space Shuttle mission dedicated to the assembly of the International Space Station. While docked to the Station, the crew installed the first set of U.S. solar arrays, performed three space walks, in addition to delivering supplies and equipment to the stations first resident crew. Mission duration was 10 days, 19 hours, 57 minutes, and traveled 4.47 million miles.