Remembering Jack

The Honourable Jack Layton, PC, leader of the Official Opposition of Her Majesty the Queen passed away on August 22, 2010 at 4:45 ET at his home in Toronto, Ontario with his family by his side. He was only 61 years old. Unfortunately, his second battle with cancer took his life. Jack, as he was known to Canadians, was the man responsible for single handedly rejuvenating the NDP Party in Canada. In just a few elections, Jack was able to lead the NDP from having a few seats in Parliament to becoming the Official Opposition in Canada for the first time in history in May of 2011. He was a lifelong politician, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. Before becoming a Member of Parliament, Jack was a Toronto city councilor.

Many of us remember Jack for his political contributions to Canada and his quest for a better Canada. Even though he was a great politician, he was an even better man. His friends and family can attest to his great personality, and his loving and caring demeanor. In his last few days, Jack penned a letter addressed to all Canadians. In that emotion filled letter, Jack told Canadians that “Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one-a country of greater equality, justice and opportunity.” His letter urged Canadians to move forward and further improve our country. In the last few lines of his letter, Jack told Canadians that “love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.” Those were the last words of a man that battled cancer and lost. Perhaps, then it was Jack’s optimism that was his greatest attribute because even though he may have lost his battle with cancer, he urged Canadians to continue with their fight telling them “please don’t be discouraged that my own journey hasn’t gone as well as I hoped. You must not lose your own hope. Treatments and therapies have never been better in the face of this disease. You have every reason to be optimistic, determined and focused on the future.” These words highlight, how great of a man Jack Layton was.

The passing of Jack Layton has brought Canadians together, no matter what political party they belong to. Tributes from Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Governor General David Johnston, and former Prime Minister Paul Martin are just amongst the few tributes that have poured in for Jack. You may not have agreed with the policies of Jack Layton, but I am sure it would prove to be a difficult task to find a person that didn’t respect Jack Layton.

My dearest sympathies go out to the Layton family and those that knew Jack personally. It is a great loss to politics, this country and society in general to lose a man like Jack Layton.