OTTAWA—The federal Conservatives were condemned as “childish,” “petty” and “despicably partisan” after Liberal MP Marc Garneau — the first Canadian to fly in space — was snubbed from a ceremony to unveil the Canadarm at an Ottawa museum.

The decision to leave Garneau off the guest list to the May 2 event didn’t sit well with Canadians, who took to their keyboards to vent at then Heritage Minister James Moore.

“It is the meanest, most petty action I have ever seen in a government,” wrote one unidentified writer to Moore’s office. “Mr. Garneau is a genuine Canadian hero, regardless of his politics.”

“Wouldn’t it make sense to invite the person who actually operated the Canadarm,” wrote another. “Things like that only make your government look bad.”

Garneau operated the space arm on two of his three missions in orbit and later went on to head the Canadian Space Agency. But apparently that wasn’t enough to qualify for an invite as the robotic arm — used to manipulate satellites and other loads — was put on permanent display at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum.

Moore, who has since been shuffled to industry minister, presided over the ceremony that included other VIPs. Government officials later said that museum employees were responsible for compiling the guest list.

But many who wrote Moore to complain about Garneau’s absence weren’t buying the excuses. “To think that your office had nothing to do with the snub is a farce,” read one email to the minister.

Documents related to the ceremony were obtained by the Star under Access to Information legislation from the Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation as well as the Canadian Heritage department.

It’s obvious Moore got an earful from Canadians who accused the Conservatives of partisan motives for not ensuring that Garneau, a former Liberal leadership candidate, was present at the ceremony.

“With great respect Mr. Minister. When does the pettiness stop? When will this Gov’t become the government for ALL Canadians,” wrote one unidentified writer.

Another denounced the “sad partisan scheme,” adding, “shame on you for not inviting Mr. Garneau.”

One writer questioned why “ground-dwelling politicians” presided at the event instead of the storied corps of Canadian astronauts. “I see the arrogance of the present government has no limits.”

Another said that despite the snub, Garneau’s place in the history books is certain, unlike the Conservative government.

“I can assure you that he will be remembered long after your mean-spirited and science illiterate government is forgotten,” the email said.

One email condemned it as “tacky, classless and petty. If you guys lose the next election it will only be because of stupid stunts like this.”

More than a few of the writers accused the Conservatives of plumbing new lows in Canadian politics. “Small-minded, insecure and bush league. How many more adjectives can I add,” wrote one.

Said another: “I do my best to teach my children civility and respect, especially toward those we disagree with. It is challenging to do so when they have such poor role models.”

Garneau himself was piqued as well at the time, blaming “hyperpartisan” Conservatives as the reason he wasn’t invited.

Emails reveal that ministers’ offices at both industry and Canadian Heritage and even the Privy Council Office, the bureaucratic arm of the prime minister’s office, had an active hand in planning and approving plans for the event.

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The government even compiled an elaborate “message event proposal” outlining the key messages it wanted to convey, including Canada’s “advanced robotics innovation.”

Ironically, Garneau had pressed the Conservatives to ensure the Canadarm, which had flown on NASA’s shuttle fleet between 1981 and 2011, was put on public display. Garneau wrote Moore in July, 2012 to protest plans to house the Canadarm at the Canadian Space Agency headquarters in St. Hubert, Que., saying that such a plan “cannot do justice” to the Canadian icon.

Instead, he urged the Canadarm be housed in Ottawa’s aviation museum, where it eventually wound up.