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The first thing Prime Minister Mark Carney said to Canada’s first ever astronaut to travel to the moon is how “incredible” it was that he spoke in French up there.

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Sans parler de la Lune, il y a eu des choses encore plus importantes pour le Canada qui se sont produites lors de cette mission historique Artemis II.

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Or in translation: Never mind the moon, there are even bigger things for Canada that happened on this historic Artemis II mission.

Speaking to Col. Jeremy Hansen in in French, Carney said “tout d’abord, j’aimerais commencer en français, car tous les Canadiens sont très fiers de vous, pour de nombreuses raisons bien sûr, mais c’était incroyable de vous entendre parler français pour la première fois dans l’espace.”

In translation to English: “First, I’d like to begin in French because all Canadians are so proud of you, for a number of reasons of course, but it was incredible to hear you speak French for the first time in space.”

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Of course perhaps perhaps Carney didn’t remember that Canada has sent French speakers in the past, including the first to go into orbit Marc Garneau, Julie Payette and explorer to the International Space Station David St. Jacques who regularly spoke in both of Canada’s official languages to people on Earth.

But it seems to be agreed upon that Hansen is the first Canadian astronaut to speak French while heading to the moon.

Carney and Hansen talk space and syrup in both languages

In addition to being the first Canadian to fly up to the moon, Hansen and his Artemis II crewmates Cmdr. Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch now hold the record of flying the furthest distance away from Earth and hold the distinction of going deeper into space than any previous astronaut ever has.

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In English, Carney added he’s “proud of what you’re doing” and the “collaboration” with his American counterparts.

Speaking in French, 50-year-old Hansen responded “c’est un honneur d’avoir le Premier ministre à bord avec nous. Je le remercie beaucoup et il est important pour moi de faire savoir à quel point je suis fier du Canada.”

In English translaton: It’s “an honour to have the Prime Minister here aboard integrity with us. So, thank you very much and for me it’s just important to get the message out that I am so proud of Canada.”

But the prime minister teased he noticed previously in the mission live shot of a jar of Nutella floating by and put his countryman on the spot with a Canadian loyalty test: “A lot of Canadians just want a point of reassurance that the preference is for maple syrup and not Nutella on your pancakes in the morning?” teased Carney.

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There was laughter amongst the crew members and the audience at the Canadian Space Agency gathered to participate in the live Earth to space hookup.

“I will take that as a yes,” said Carney.

Maple syrup and the Maple Leaf in space

“Absolutely, sir,” Hansen said with a giant smile. “I can send Christina to get the syrup right away” and “we definitely have it on board and it can make another guest appearance.”

Moments later a special package of Canadian maple syrup floated into the frame. Hansen, who also showed a Canadian flag patch hanging in zero gravity, has his Canadianism intact.

“We have this on board,” said Hansen, adding “I wrote your (title) on the back” and want to “make sure that it gets to you.”

Hansen, who was also excellent in his handling of the previous call from President Donald J. Trump, is turning out to be a true diplomat that is effective in space and trying to be helpful down on Earth where there is so much focus right now on war, gas prices and even seeing elected politicians crossing the floor.

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Neat to see the bridge he’s offering to remind the kind of friendship the United States and Canada traditionally enjoy and need to enjoy again.

“We’re better together,” said Hansen.

Carney agreed.

The prime minister said, “Canadians couldn’t be more proud” of both Hansen and the “collaboration with United States,” adding, “Godspeed and enjoy the rest of the mission and we look forward to seeing you here at some point in Canada for maple syrup on pancakes.”

Bon courage pour la suite de votre mission et nous espérons vous revoir un jour au Canada pour déguster du sirop d’érable sur des crêpes.

Le Canada célèbre cet astronaute pionnier de l’espace dans ses deux langues officielles.

Canada is celebrating this astronaut in both official languages.

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