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“Believe me, this is not rocket science,” Garneau said Wednesday. “And, I know something about rocket science.”

Garneau joins a crowded field that includes fellow Montreal MP — and leadership favourite — Justin Trudeau.

The 63-year-old Garneau was first elected to the House of Commons in 2008 and re-elected in 2011.

The Quebec City native became the first Canadian to fly in space, when he served as a payload specialist aboard the Challenger shuttle in October 1984.

“Whether it was in the Canadian Navy, as an astronaut or as president of the Canadian Space Agency, I have spent my life serving my country,” Garneau said Wednesday.

“And I am extremely proud of who I am and my contribution to my the country. I believe in commitment and in excellence in everything I do.”

He flew on three shuttle missions, logging over 677 hours in space. Garneau then served as president of the space agency from 2001 to 2005 before jumping into politics.

Today, under Harper, we have an angry, we have a divisive, we have an intolerant Canada. We have an intolerant government

Garneau’s announcement speech was peppered with attacks against Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government.

“Today, I see a Canada that has given me so many opportunities being whittled away,” he said.

“Today, under Harper, we have an angry, we have a divisive, we have an intolerant Canada. We have an intolerant government.

“Stephen Harper’s government practises the politics of exclusion, the politics of hypocrisy, of deceit. This is a government that rewards the few at the expense of the many.”