OTTAWA  (26 March 2009)  –  “I will be watching the results of the Canada Space Agency’s candidate selection process very closely,” states Leon Benoit, Member of Parliament for Vegreville-Wainwright. “One of the final 16 candidates is Josh Kutryk, from Beauvallon.”

“At 26, Josh is the youngest of the 16 candidates, and is currently a fighter pilot in the Canadian Forces,” explains Benoit. “He’s already a member of an elite group of Canadians and I’m sure he’s very excited about the chance to fulfil one of his dreams.”

The Canadian Space Agency is looking for two new astronauts, who will live for six months aboard the International Space Station. The current candidates were selected after a rigorous process narrowed the field to 1,000 individuals. The resumes of every one of those people were then reviewed and a total of 80 people were selected to be interviewed.  The 44 who made it through that level then underwent a series of six intensive tests – including physical fitness, flight aptitude, teamwork, ability to follow instruction, and proving they were able to control the Canadarm, which is the mechanical arm used by space shuttles.

The Space Agency now has to pick two of the 16 people who showed their skills at all those tests.

“The field is unquestionably full of very high calibre people,” says Benoit. “I know that Josh’s parents Barry and Kathy are very proud of him and I join them in wishing him well.  If people of Vegreville-Wainwright would like to show their support for Josh, they can vote for him at http://www.cbc.ca/photogallery/canada/2062/.   Josh is listed on the site as ‘Young Gun’.”

“Well done, Josh!”