Bachelor of science in engineering physics from the Royal Military College of Kingston, 1970; Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the Imperial College of Science and Technology, London, 1973; three honorary doctorate degrees; Captain Canadian Navy; was selected in 1983 for Space Team Canada; later NASA astronaut; hobbies: Flying, scuba diving, squash, tennis, car mechanics, home repairs, he sailed twice across the Atlantic in a 59-foot yawl with 12 other crewmen; in February 2001 he was appointed Executive Vice President, Canadian Space Agency; 22.11.2001 until 28.11.2005 President Canadian Space Agency (CSA); in 2005 he lost his bid to win a seat in the House of Commons for the liberal party; on 14.10.2008 he was elected to the Canadian Parliament.