At 04:45 EDT today, Jack Layton, husband, father, grandfather, Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada and Leader of Her Majesty's Official Opposition in Canada's House of Commons ... died peacefully at age 61.
Canadians, across all boundaries sat with their morning coffee in stunned silence, shocked and saddened. In Duncan, BC we awoke to grey skies and softly falling rain. Distant thunder rolled through the mountains and valleys as the tv news channels informed us that "Jack" had died, his family at his side.
For the first time in the history of Canadian politics, a Leader had captured the social conscience of a great number of Canadians. In fact, he may have had that affect on a "majority" of Canadians, even those who chose not to vote for him or his party in the last election. Jack played fair in everything and his name will never be associated with political chicanery, deceit or unethical practice. Jack walked the high road with pride, and Canadians by the thousands chose to walk with him.
"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
You can read all of Jack's letter to Canadians here
Gone, but not forgotten.
Jack.... you will be missed
1 comments:
Well said Bruce and AMEN!
Linda Barnicott
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