LONGUEUIL, Que. — Prime Minister Mark Carney chatted with astronaut Jeremy Hansen on Wednesday about Canadian pride, U.S.-Canada relations in space and how the mission has inspired people across the country to look up at the moon.
“We have all been watching and inspired by what you are doing,” said Carney. He also said asked what lessons the team in space had learned about working together.
Hansen pointed to the side-by-side Canadian and American flags posted aboard the capsule.
“We have our flags here together,” answered Hansen. “We are better together.”
Mark Carney – Artemis II Prime Minister Mark Carney chatted with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen and his three U.S. crewmates on Wednesday about the Artemis II mission. (Canadian Space Agency)
A moment of levity came when the prime minister asked for reassurance that the crew’s preference was for maple syrup, rather than Nutella, on pancakes in the morning. This was after a jar of that chocolatey breakfast staple was spotted floating in the capsule earlier in the mission.
Carney also mentioned that he was proud to hear French spoken in space.
Industry Minister Melanie Joly also took part in the call. The event was livestreamed from the John H. Chapman Space Centre in Longueuil, Que.
“I’ve heard, time and time again, people from across the country saying, ‘We’re not only proud, but it’s good news. We’re following because they’re providing hope. Jeremy is actually helping us go through our days,’” Joly said.
Hansen and his three U.S. crewmates will return to Earth on Friday.
With files from The Canadian Press