Famous Canadian Engineers

Marc Garneau had a diverse professional career, starting as a naval officer before transitioning to become an astronaut. He made history as the first Canadian in outer space in 1984 and went on to participate in two more Space Shuttle missions. After retiring from space exploration, Garneau entered politics and served as a Member of Parliament for 15 years. He held various Cabinet positions, including minister of foreign affairs and minister of transport, contributing to Canadian governance until 2021.

Garrett Camp is a prominent Canadian businessman, investor, and software engineer known for his significant contributions in the tech industry. He played a key role in the development of the popular search engine StumbleUpon and co-founded the innovative transportation company Uber. With a strong background in software engineering, Camp has made a lasting impact on the tech world through his entrepreneurial ventures and strategic investments. Currently residing in Los Angeles, he continues to be actively involved in shaping the future of technology and business.

Peter Munk was a Hungarian-Canadian businessman and philanthropist known for founding and leading several successful business ventures, including Clairtone, Trizec Properties, and Barrick Gold. He established himself as a prominent figure in the business world, particularly within the gold-mining industry. Munk's legacy extends beyond business, as he was recognized for his generosity through donations to various institutions, such as the Munk School of Global Affairs and the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre. He was also instrumental in supporting intellectual discourse through the Munk Debates.

Patrice Désilets is a prominent Canadian game designer celebrated for his contributions to the gaming industry. He is widely recognized as the creative force behind the iconic Assassin's Creed series, having served as the creative director for several installments. Additionally, he has made significant contributions to other successful titles such as Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. In 2014, Désilets founded Panache Digital Games, where he continued to showcase his creative vision through projects like Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey.

Gerald Bull was a Canadian engineer known for developing long-range artillery. He was dedicated to economically launching a satellite using a massive artillery piece, leading him to design the Project Babylon "supergun" for Saddam Hussein's government in Iraq. Bull's professional journey was marked by his work on various projects aimed at advancing ballistic technology. Unfortunately, his career was cut short when he was assassinated outside his apartment in Brussels, Belgium, in 1990, with suspicions pointing towards the involvement of the Mossad due to his collaboration with the Iraqi government.

Robert Pike is a Canadian programmer and author known for his significant contributions to the field of computer science. He played a key role in the development of the Go programming language at Google and the Plan 9 operating system at Bell Labs. Pike's accomplishments include creating the first window system for Unix, inventing overlapping windows on computer displays, co-authoring influential books on programming, and collaborating on the creation of UTF-8 character encoding with Ken Thompson. His expertise and innovations have had a lasting impact on the industry.

Robert Brent Thirsk is a Canadian retired engineer, physician, and former astronaut with the Canadian Space Agency. He holds the record for the most time spent in space by a Canadian astronaut. Thirsk was a member of two space missions, including a long-duration stay aboard the International Space Station. He has been recognized for his contributions to space exploration, being appointed as an officer of the Order of Canada and receiving the Order of British Columbia. Thirsk's career showcases his significant achievements in space research and exploration.

Andrew Coyne is a prominent Canadian columnist known for his work with The Globe and Mail and CBC's The National. He has also held roles such as national editor for Maclean's and columnist with the National Post. Coyne's insightful commentary and analysis have made him a respected figure in Canadian media. Known for his incisive writing and thoughtful perspectives, he has contributed significantly to political discourse and public debate in Canada through his various roles in journalism.

Maher Arar is a telecommunications engineer with dual Syrian and Canadian citizenship. He has resided in Canada since 1987. Arar gained international attention after being detained at John F. Kennedy International Airport in 2002 while on his way home to Canada. He was held without charges in the US, suspected of being an Al Qaeda member, and subsequently deported to Syria where he was tortured. Following his release and clearance of any terrorism links, Arar received a settlement from the Canadian government and an apology from the Prime Minister.

Julie Payette is a Canadian engineer, scientist, and former astronaut who served as the 29th Governor General of Canada from 2017 to 2021. She holds engineering degrees and worked as a research scientist before joining the Canadian Space Agency. Payette completed two spaceflights and logged over 25 days in space. She also served as the chief astronaut for the CSA. Prior to her appointment as Governor General, she held various board appointments and was the chief operating officer for the Montreal Science Centre. Payette resigned in 2021 following a workplace review that found she had created a toxic work environment.

Bjarni Valdimar Tryggvason was an accomplished Icelandic-born Canadian engineer and NRC/CSA astronaut. He notably served as a Payload Specialist on Space Shuttle mission STS-85 in 1997, contributing to a 12-day mission focused on studying changes in the Earth's atmosphere. Throughout his professional life, Tryggvason demonstrated expertise in aerospace engineering and a strong commitment to advancing scientific research in space exploration. His dedication to understanding Earth's atmosphere and his contributions to space missions have left a lasting impact on the field of astronautics.

Robert Latimer is a Canadian farmer known for his involvement in a high-profile legal case. He was convicted of second-degree murder related to the death of his daughter, which sparked a national debate on euthanasia and disability rights. The case led to significant legal proceedings, including two Supreme Court decisions. Despite the controversy, Latimer was eventually granted parole after serving time for his conviction.

Alfred Vaino Aho is a renowned Canadian computer scientist acclaimed for his groundbreaking contributions to programming languages, compilers, and related algorithms. He is widely recognized for his influential textbooks on computer programming. Aho was elected into the National Academy of Engineering in 1999 in recognition of his significant impact on the fields of algorithms and programming tools. Alongside his esteemed colleague Jeffrey Ullman, he was honored with the prestigious 2020 Turing Award, a testament to his exceptional achievements in the realm of computer science.

Elizabeth Muriel Gregory MacGill, known as the "Queen of the Hurricanes," was a Canadian engineer who made significant contributions during World War II. As the chief aeronautical engineer at Canadian Car and Foundry, she oversaw the manufacturing of fighter aircraft for the RAF and U.S. Navy, strengthening Canada's aircraft construction capabilities. After the war, she established a successful aeronautical engineering consulting business. Additionally, she served as a Commissioner on the Royal Commission on the Status of Women in Canada, highlighting her commitment to gender equality in the workforce.

Henry Croft was an Australian-born lumber and mining magnate who made a name for himself on Vancouver Island from the 1880s to 1900s. He started his career in Canada by purchasing a sawmill in Chemainus and quickly rose to prominence through his successful management of the mill. Croft later expanded his interests into mining on Mount Sicker and played a key role in founding the town of Crofton, British Columbia in 1902. His contributions to the logging and mining industries solidified his reputation as a prominent figure in the region.

Theo de Raadt is a highly respected software engineer known for his significant contributions to the field of open-source software. As the founder and leader of the OpenBSD and OpenSSH projects, he has played a pivotal role in the development of secure and reliable operating systems and network security tools. De Raadt's expertise and leadership have been recognized through prestigious awards, such as the Free Software Award, highlighting his dedication to advancing the principles of free and open-source software.

Ryan North is a distinguished Canadian writer and computer programmer known for his creative contributions to the world of comics. As the creator and author of Dinosaur Comics, he has also written for popular comic series such as Adventure Time and The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl by Marvel Comics. North's works have garnered critical acclaim, earning him multiple Eisner Awards and Harvey Awards. His literary achievements have also been recognized by making appearances on the prestigious New York Times Bestseller lists, solidifying his reputation as a talented and successful professional in the industry.

Steven Blaney is a Canadian businessman and Conservative politician who has held various ministerial positions in the Canadian government, including Minister of Public Safety, Minister of Veterans Affairs, and Minister of State for La Francophonie. He has represented the Québec riding of Lévis—Bellechasse in the Canadian House of Commons since 2006. Blaney ran for the Conservative party leadership in 2017 but was unsuccessful. Despite his anglophone-sounding name, he is a Francophone.

Lawrence A. "Pat" Hyland was an American electrical engineer known for his major contributions to the invention of radar technology. He transformed Hughes Aircraft into a leading technology company, serving as President and CEO. Hyland founded the Radio Research Company, later merged into Bendix Corporation, where he held leadership positions. Throughout his career, he developed radar systems, electro-optical systems, aircraft computer systems, and missile systems. Hyland also advised the U.S. government on science and technology and received numerous honors and awards for his work.

Jim Bohlen began his professional journey as an engineer in the US, where he collaborated with the navy and defense departments. His dissatisfaction with the American government's nuclear policy prompted his relocation to Canada. There, he emerged as a prominent figure by co-founding Greenpeace and becoming an active Green Party advocate. Through his environmental activism, Bohlen played a crucial role in raising awareness about ecological issues and promoting sustainable practices, solidifying his reputation as a dedicated environmentalist and influential leader in the green movement.