Jack Layton

polaris_x

has lost his battle with cancer ... at 61

this is for the canadians on the board ... :(

he was the mp for my riding and although i didn't agree with a lot of what he did ... he has shown the most integrity amongst our current politicians and sadly today that quality is often dismissed in the people we elect to our detriment ...

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/arti ... at-61?bn=1

lukin2006

RIP Jack

keeponrockin

Terrible news. I didn't always agree with him, but he seemed to be an honest guy, who finally propelled his party to official opposition. A friend texted me this morning to tell me, just awful.

sparky_fry

great leader, great man. Glad he accomplished what he did in the last year, and I'm sure it took a major toll on him. Best wishes to the family

blueandwhite

I've never been partial to Layton's political leanings, but he was easily the most charismatic party leader Canada has had in recent years. Canadian politics won't be the same without him. RIP Jack.

keeponrockin

"We will work with Canadians to build the country of our hopes, of our dreams, of our optimism, of our determination, of our values...of our love. Thank you" - Jack Layton's final press conference.

Idris

:( RIP good man,
---

polaris_x

he had this as a sig for his emails ...

"Courage my friends, 'tis not too late to build a better world"

haffajappa

So sad to wake up to this news. SO sad. :(
Jack was the only political leader that I genuinely liked.

He accomplished so much and he has definitely left a legacy now. If anyone deserved such a historical year it was Jack... And I'm so glad he accomplished that before he lost his second battle to cancer.


RIP JACK

ShimmyMommy

RIP Mr. Jack Layton. Thank you for doing the best you could with what time you had. Love and light to him and his family.

bytterman

Very sad news. I think that Ibbitson's thoughts are bang on the money, the country lost an important person today. Thoughts to Ms. Chow, the kids, and the rest of the family.


Canada is weaker without Layton’s passion, conviction and smile
JOHN IBBITSON
OTTAWA— Globe and Mail Update
Posted on Monday, August 22, 2011 10:32AM EDT

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/canada-is-weaker-without-laytons-passion-conviction-and-smile/article2137202/

keeponrockin

Jack Layton's Letter to Canadians
Dear Friends,

Tens of thousands of Canadians have written to me in recent weeks to wish me well. I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughtful, inspiring and often beautiful notes, cards and gifts. Your spirit and love have lit up my home, my spirit, and my determination.

Unfortunately my treatment has not worked out as I hoped. So I am giving this letter to my partner Olivia to share with you in the circumstance in which I cannot continue.

I recommend that Hull-Aylmer MP Nycole Turmel continue her work as our interim leader until a permanent successor is elected.

I recommend the party hold a leadership vote as early as possible in the New Year, on approximately the same timelines as in 2003, so that our new leader has ample time to reconsolidate our team, renew our party and our program, and move forward towards the next election.

A few additional thoughts:

To other Canadians who are on journeys to defeat cancer and to live their lives, I say this: please don't be discouraged that my own journey hasn't gone as well as I had 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. My only other advice is to cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey, as I have done this summer.

To the members of my party: we've done remarkable things together in the past eight years. It has been a privilege to lead the New Democratic Party and I am most grateful for your confidence, your support, and the endless hours of volunteer commitment you have devoted to our cause. There will be those who will try to persuade you to give up our cause. But that cause is much bigger than any one leader. Answer them by recommitting with energy and determination to our work. Remember our proud history of social justice, universal health care, public pensions and making sure no one is left behind. Let's continue to move forward. Let's demonstrate in everything we do in the four years before us that we are ready to serve our beloved Canada as its next government.

To the members of our parliamentary caucus: I have been privileged to work with each and every one of you. Our caucus meetings were always the highlight of my week. It has been my role to ask a great deal from you. And now I am going to do so again. Canadians will be closely watching you in the months to come. Colleagues, I know you will make the tens of thousands of members of our party proud of you by demonstrating the same seamless teamwork and solidarity that has earned us the confidence of millions of Canadians in the recent election.

To my fellow Quebecers: On May 2nd, you made an historic decision. You decided that the way to replace Canada's Conservative federal government with something better was by working together in partnership with progressive-minded Canadians across the country. You made the right decision then; it is still the right decision today; and it will be the right decision right through to the next election, when we will succeed, together. You have elected a superb team of New Democrats to Parliament. They are going to be doing remarkable things in the years to come to make this country better for us all.

To young Canadians: All my life I have worked to make things better. Hope and optimism have defined my political career, and I continue to be hopeful and optimistic about Canada. Young people have been a great source of inspiration for me. I have met and talked with so many of you about your dreams, your frustrations, and your ideas for change. More and more, you are engaging in politics because you want to change things for the better. Many of you have placed your trust in our party. As my time in political life draws to a close I want to share with you my belief in your power to change this country and this world. There are great challenges before you, from the overwhelming nature of climate change to the unfairness of an economy that excludes so many from our collective wealth, and the changes necessary to build a more inclusive and generous Canada. I believe in you. Your energy, your vision, your passion for justice are exactly what this country needs today. You need to be at the heart of our economy, our political life, and our plans for the present and the future.

And finally, to all Canadians: 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. We can build a prosperous economy and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world's environment. We can restore our good name in the world. We can do all of these things because we finally have a party system at the national level where there are real choices; where your vote matters; where working for change can actually bring about change. In the months and years to come, New Democrats will put a compelling new alternative to you. My colleagues in our party are an impressive, committed team. Give them a careful hearing; consider the alternatives; and consider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don't let them tell you it can't be done.

My friends, 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.

All my very best,

Jack Layton

polaris_x

thestar is reblogging what others are writing / saying ... it's pretty tough reading some of this ... :(

http://livenews.thestar.com/Event/Jack_ ... dead_at_61

fife

keeponrockin wrote:

Jack Layton's Letter to Canadians
Dear Friends,

Tens of thousands of Canadians have written to me in recent weeks to wish me well. I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughtful, inspiring and often beautiful notes, cards and gifts. Your spirit and love have lit up my home, my spirit, and my determination.

Unfortunately my treatment has not worked out as I hoped. So I am giving this letter to my partner Olivia to share with you in the circumstance in which I cannot continue.

I recommend that Hull-Aylmer MP Nycole Turmel continue her work as our interim leader until a permanent successor is elected.

I recommend the party hold a leadership vote as early as possible in the New Year, on approximately the same timelines as in 2003, so that our new leader has ample time to reconsolidate our team, renew our party and our program, and move forward towards the next election.

A few additional thoughts:

To other Canadians who are on journeys to defeat cancer and to live their lives, I say this: please don't be discouraged that my own journey hasn't gone as well as I had 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. My only other advice is to cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey, as I have done this summer.

To the members of my party: we've done remarkable things together in the past eight years. It has been a privilege to lead the New Democratic Party and I am most grateful for your confidence, your support, and the endless hours of volunteer commitment you have devoted to our cause. There will be those who will try to persuade you to give up our cause. But that cause is much bigger than any one leader. Answer them by recommitting with energy and determination to our work. Remember our proud history of social justice, universal health care, public pensions and making sure no one is left behind. Let's continue to move forward. Let's demonstrate in everything we do in the four years before us that we are ready to serve our beloved Canada as its next government.

To the members of our parliamentary caucus: I have been privileged to work with each and every one of you. Our caucus meetings were always the highlight of my week. It has been my role to ask a great deal from you. And now I am going to do so again. Canadians will be closely watching you in the months to come. Colleagues, I know you will make the tens of thousands of members of our party proud of you by demonstrating the same seamless teamwork and solidarity that has earned us the confidence of millions of Canadians in the recent election.

To my fellow Quebecers: On May 2nd, you made an historic decision. You decided that the way to replace Canada's Conservative federal government with something better was by working together in partnership with progressive-minded Canadians across the country. You made the right decision then; it is still the right decision today; and it will be the right decision right through to the next election, when we will succeed, together. You have elected a superb team of New Democrats to Parliament. They are going to be doing remarkable things in the years to come to make this country better for us all.

To young Canadians: All my life I have worked to make things better. Hope and optimism have defined my political career, and I continue to be hopeful and optimistic about Canada. Young people have been a great source of inspiration for me. I have met and talked with so many of you about your dreams, your frustrations, and your ideas for change. More and more, you are engaging in politics because you want to change things for the better. Many of you have placed your trust in our party. As my time in political life draws to a close I want to share with you my belief in your power to change this country and this world. There are great challenges before you, from the overwhelming nature of climate change to the unfairness of an economy that excludes so many from our collective wealth, and the changes necessary to build a more inclusive and generous Canada. I believe in you. Your energy, your vision, your passion for justice are exactly what this country needs today. You need to be at the heart of our economy, our political life, and our plans for the present and the future.

And finally, to all Canadians: 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. We can build a prosperous economy and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world's environment. We can restore our good name in the world. We can do all of these things because we finally have a party system at the national level where there are real choices; where your vote matters; where working for change can actually bring about change. In the months and years to come, New Democrats will put a compelling new alternative to you. My colleagues in our party are an impressive, committed team. Give them a careful hearing; consider the alternatives; and consider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don't let them tell you it can't be done.

My friends, 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.

All my very best,

Jack Layton

just beautiful! lets us hope that is work carries on in all of us no matter our political stripes.

ACCBootlegGoddess

I was shocked and very saddened to hear of Jacks passing this morning.

I remember when he ran for Mayor of Toronto. I couldn't stand him because I thought he was arrogant. Over the years I've come to realized that what I mistook for arrogance was actually passion. He really cared about the people and was truley dedicated to making Canada a better place for working families.

He was one of the only policians that I believed was actually honest (or as close as any politician comes to be completely honest). His passion was contagious - esp in the last election. He was a true champion of the people, and most of all he was couragious,

Thank you Jack for looking out for the little guy when no other party would. May you rest in peace.

My condolences to Olivia, his children, and all his family, friends and colleagues.

This is a very sad day for Canada :(

dignin

Huge loss for our country.

lukin2006

keeponrockin wrote:

Jack Layton's Letter to Canadians
Dear Friends,

Tens of thousands of Canadians have written to me in recent weeks to wish me well. I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughtful, inspiring and often beautiful notes, cards and gifts. Your spirit and love have lit up my home, my spirit, and my determination.

Unfortunately my treatment has not worked out as I hoped. So I am giving this letter to my partner Olivia to share with you in the circumstance in which I cannot continue.

I recommend that Hull-Aylmer MP Nycole Turmel continue her work as our interim leader until a permanent successor is elected.

I recommend the party hold a leadership vote as early as possible in the New Year, on approximately the same timelines as in 2003, so that our new leader has ample time to reconsolidate our team, renew our party and our program, and move forward towards the next election.

A few additional thoughts:

To other Canadians who are on journeys to defeat cancer and to live their lives, I say this: please don't be discouraged that my own journey hasn't gone as well as I had 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. My only other advice is to cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey, as I have done this summer.

To the members of my party: we've done remarkable things together in the past eight years. It has been a privilege to lead the New Democratic Party and I am most grateful for your confidence, your support, and the endless hours of volunteer commitment you have devoted to our cause. There will be those who will try to persuade you to give up our cause. But that cause is much bigger than any one leader. Answer them by recommitting with energy and determination to our work. Remember our proud history of social justice, universal health care, public pensions and making sure no one is left behind. Let's continue to move forward. Let's demonstrate in everything we do in the four years before us that we are ready to serve our beloved Canada as its next government.

To the members of our parliamentary caucus: I have been privileged to work with each and every one of you. Our caucus meetings were always the highlight of my week. It has been my role to ask a great deal from you. And now I am going to do so again. Canadians will be closely watching you in the months to come. Colleagues, I know you will make the tens of thousands of members of our party proud of you by demonstrating the same seamless teamwork and solidarity that has earned us the confidence of millions of Canadians in the recent election.

To my fellow Quebecers: On May 2nd, you made an historic decision. You decided that the way to replace Canada's Conservative federal government with something better was by working together in partnership with progressive-minded Canadians across the country. You made the right decision then; it is still the right decision today; and it will be the right decision right through to the next election, when we will succeed, together. You have elected a superb team of New Democrats to Parliament. They are going to be doing remarkable things in the years to come to make this country better for us all.

To young Canadians: All my life I have worked to make things better. Hope and optimism have defined my political career, and I continue to be hopeful and optimistic about Canada. Young people have been a great source of inspiration for me. I have met and talked with so many of you about your dreams, your frustrations, and your ideas for change. More and more, you are engaging in politics because you want to change things for the better. Many of you have placed your trust in our party. As my time in political life draws to a close I want to share with you my belief in your power to change this country and this world. There are great challenges before you, from the overwhelming nature of climate change to the unfairness of an economy that excludes so many from our collective wealth, and the changes necessary to build a more inclusive and generous Canada. I believe in you. Your energy, your vision, your passion for justice are exactly what this country needs today. You need to be at the heart of our economy, our political life, and our plans for the present and the future.

And finally, to all Canadians: 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. We can build a prosperous economy and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world's environment. We can restore our good name in the world. We can do all of these things because we finally have a party system at the national level where there are real choices; where your vote matters; where working for change can actually bring about change. In the months and years to come, New Democrats will put a compelling new alternative to you. My colleagues in our party are an impressive, committed team. Give them a careful hearing; consider the alternatives; and consider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don't let them tell you it can't be done.

My friends, 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.

All my very best,

Jack Layton

Beatiful letter...especially like the last paragraph.

keeponrockin

I went to Parliament Hill to pay my respects, sad sad day.

Hugh Freaking Dillon

lukin2006 wrote:

keeponrockin wrote:

Jack Layton's Letter to Canadians
Dear Friends,

Tens of thousands of Canadians have written to me in recent weeks to wish me well. I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughtful, inspiring and often beautiful notes, cards and gifts. Your spirit and love have lit up my home, my spirit, and my determination.

Unfortunately my treatment has not worked out as I hoped. So I am giving this letter to my partner Olivia to share with you in the circumstance in which I cannot continue.

I recommend that Hull-Aylmer MP Nycole Turmel continue her work as our interim leader until a permanent successor is elected.

I recommend the party hold a leadership vote as early as possible in the New Year, on approximately the same timelines as in 2003, so that our new leader has ample time to reconsolidate our team, renew our party and our program, and move forward towards the next election.

A few additional thoughts:

To other Canadians who are on journeys to defeat cancer and to live their lives, I say this: please don't be discouraged that my own journey hasn't gone as well as I had 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. My only other advice is to cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey, as I have done this summer.

To the members of my party: we've done remarkable things together in the past eight years. It has been a privilege to lead the New Democratic Party and I am most grateful for your confidence, your support, and the endless hours of volunteer commitment you have devoted to our cause. There will be those who will try to persuade you to give up our cause. But that cause is much bigger than any one leader. Answer them by recommitting with energy and determination to our work. Remember our proud history of social justice, universal health care, public pensions and making sure no one is left behind. Let's continue to move forward. Let's demonstrate in everything we do in the four years before us that we are ready to serve our beloved Canada as its next government.

To the members of our parliamentary caucus: I have been privileged to work with each and every one of you. Our caucus meetings were always the highlight of my week. It has been my role to ask a great deal from you. And now I am going to do so again. Canadians will be closely watching you in the months to come. Colleagues, I know you will make the tens of thousands of members of our party proud of you by demonstrating the same seamless teamwork and solidarity that has earned us the confidence of millions of Canadians in the recent election.

To my fellow Quebecers: On May 2nd, you made an historic decision. You decided that the way to replace Canada's Conservative federal government with something better was by working together in partnership with progressive-minded Canadians across the country. You made the right decision then; it is still the right decision today; and it will be the right decision right through to the next election, when we will succeed, together. You have elected a superb team of New Democrats to Parliament. They are going to be doing remarkable things in the years to come to make this country better for us all.

To young Canadians: All my life I have worked to make things better. Hope and optimism have defined my political career, and I continue to be hopeful and optimistic about Canada. Young people have been a great source of inspiration for me. I have met and talked with so many of you about your dreams, your frustrations, and your ideas for change. More and more, you are engaging in politics because you want to change things for the better. Many of you have placed your trust in our party. As my time in political life draws to a close I want to share with you my belief in your power to change this country and this world. There are great challenges before you, from the overwhelming nature of climate change to the unfairness of an economy that excludes so many from our collective wealth, and the changes necessary to build a more inclusive and generous Canada. I believe in you. Your energy, your vision, your passion for justice are exactly what this country needs today. You need to be at the heart of our economy, our political life, and our plans for the present and the future.

And finally, to all Canadians: 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. We can build a prosperous economy and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world's environment. We can restore our good name in the world. We can do all of these things because we finally have a party system at the national level where there are real choices; where your vote matters; where working for change can actually bring about change. In the months and years to come, New Democrats will put a compelling new alternative to you. My colleagues in our party are an impressive, committed team. Give them a careful hearing; consider the alternatives; and consider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don't let them tell you it can't be done.

My friends, 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.

All my very best,

Jack Layton

Beatiful letter...especially like the last paragraph.

+1

small town beck

I think I will go to the vigil here in Ottawa tonight. His letter was so touching, one last display of class. Canada is a sadder place without him. Rest in peace, Mr. Layton.

Prince Of Dorkness

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlkIlQV25Ss

keeponrockin

Prince Of Dorkness wrote:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlkIlQV25Ss

Well done Jasun.

I never got the opportunity to meet the man, but seemed like a great man, so sad after he found so much success.

Drowned Out

Such a loss. We needed him...
Thanks for everything, Jack.

Drowned Out

Sun Media represent!
say goodbye to your job, douchebag. :evil:
http://youstayclassy.wordpress.com/2011 ... ve-naylor/

Fifthelement

My deepest condolences to Mr Layton's family, friends and colleagues.

He seemed a person of true integrity who just happened to be a politician His passion and enthusiasm, while sometimes annoying, will definitely be missed.


R. I. P. Jack

haffajappa

Drowned Out wrote:

Such a loss. We needed him...
Thanks for everything, Jack.

I think this is one of the huge reasons why I feel so crushed by this. We truly did need him.

polaris_x

state funeral for layton saturday ... in toronto ...

our collective cynicism to politicians can often overshadow what kind of person some of these people are ... this guy walked the streets in my neighbourhood without bodyguards ... rode public transit here and had his pulse in every micro-community around me ... people near his home have keys to his house so they can hold community meetings when he isn't there ...

i am reading some of the things he helped get launched like the white ribbon campaign and homelessness advocacy and the one thing that stands out is he did it all for the people of canada who needed the most help ... and he did it deftly ... it's taken him over 3 decades to build his legacy ... who will champion the interests of every day canadians now that he is gone? ... :(

keeponrockin

polaris_x wrote:

state funeral for layton saturday ... in toronto ...

our collective cynicism to politicians can often overshadow what kind of person some of these people are ... this guy walked the streets in my neighbourhood without bodyguards ... rode public transit here and had his pulse in every micro-community around me ... people near his home have keys to his house so they can hold community meetings when he isn't there ...

i am reading some of the things he helped get launched like the white ribbon campaign and homelessness advocacy and the one thing that stands out is he did it all for the people of canada who needed the most help ... and he did it deftly ... it's taken him over 3 decades to build his legacy ... who will champion the interests of every day canadians now that he is gone? ... :(

I'm debating going down to Toronto for the funeral, but I'm not sure.

I don't think I've ever been this shook up on a death of someone I didn't know personally. The man loved his country and did everything he could to make it a better place.

polaris_x

keeponrockin wrote:

I'm debating going down to Toronto for the funeral, but I'm not sure.

I don't think I've ever been this shook up on a death of someone I didn't know personally. The man loved his country and did everything he could to make it a better place.

i'm not exactly sure what it entails but i understand that he will be lying in state in ottawa ... i assume there will be some avenue to pay your respects in ottawa ...

ACCBootlegGoddess

keeponrockin wrote:

polaris_x wrote:

state funeral for layton saturday ... in toronto ...

our collective cynicism to politicians can often overshadow what kind of person some of these people are ... this guy walked the streets in my neighbourhood without bodyguards ... rode public transit here and had his pulse in every micro-community around me ... people near his home have keys to his house so they can hold community meetings when he isn't there ...

i am reading some of the things he helped get launched like the white ribbon campaign and homelessness advocacy and the one thing that stands out is he did it all for the people of canada who needed the most help ... and he did it deftly ... it's taken him over 3 decades to build his legacy ... who will champion the interests of every day canadians now that he is gone? ... :(

I'm debating going down to Toronto for the funeral, but I'm not sure.

I don't think I've ever been this shook up on a death of someone I didn't know personally. The man loved his country and did everything he could to make it a better place.

I'm debating going too.

Prince Of Dorkness

I wish I could be there, too.