Jack Layton dies after struggle with cancer

Jack Layton dies after struggle with cancer

www.ctv.ca

Layton's death is not only heartbreaking in how quickly it came after he announced his illness, but that it came so soon after what could was Layton's greatest political achievement.

(visit the link for the full news article)

Jack Layton was the leader of the New Democratic Party, the official opposition party in Canada.

I've never been a big supporter of the NDP in Canada but I do have to say that Layton was a dynamic leader and if he'd been the leader of the Conservative party, he'd have made an increadible Prime Minister.

As it stands, Layton's NDP became the official opposition in Canada after gaining a whack of support at the expense of the Liberal Party that was virtually wiped off the map after the last federal election.

Sad day.



www.ctv.ca
(visit the link for the full news article)

reply to post by GoalPoster


Wow. My condolences to his friends and family.
I had no idea he was even ill.
As one of the more down-to earth and honest politicians imo, I for one am sad to hear the news.

His politics stink but heart breaking for his family, friends and followers. This will most likely drive the ndp backwards but they are not a political party to be taken seriously anyways.

Cancer can suck a fat one though.

brill

I'm glad that his party became opposition before he passed. He and his wife both had deep roots within the community, and whether or not you agree with their politics they fought tooth and nail for what they believed in.

This is solemn loss for Canadian politics.

reply to post by GoalPoster

Sad news. The NDP has always stood as the Nation's Conscience and his voice will be missed in Parliament.

Sad for anyone to die but i think this is more main stream news than alternative news.

reply to post by boncho


For people who are not familiar with the Canadian politician, here is a video of him:

I hope someone deserving fills his boots and keeps Harpers feet to the fire. Canadian politics has lost a major player.

Sad sad news...


[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/15ac2b0a5536.jpg[/atsimg]


He is one politician that I liked. Didn't agree with all of his party's platform but the man was true to himself and respectful of others. A people's man. I will miss his smile.

This is a very sad day in Canadian history.

R.I.P Jack.

Everyone in Toronto could see his passion for community issues. He was known as an honest politician, and I've never heard that about anyone else other than Tommy Douglas. I learned this summer that he had a PhD, and wrote a book on homelessness, one of his pet issues.

Although I didn't vote for him, I did feel he was the one who was most able to see through the Harper cloak of deceit. I also feel he had the back of Canadians. I loved his Quebec campaign. He was refreshing and it was obvious he knew the people there too.

His last words to Canadians were just released by his beloved wife Olivia Chow in the form of a letter he wrote to all Canadians. You can read his letter here

People are gathering spontaneously on Parliament Hill and putting flowers on the eternal flame.

reply to post by aboutface


Thank you so very much for that link.

This was horrible news to wake up to. Jack is the only one that called Harper on his bullsh*t... Anyway it's not about that. RIP Jack! You'll be missed!

Here is his letter to Canadians for your interest. I love the last few lines.

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

Here's the source

Originally posted by PhoenixOD
Sad for anyone to die but i think this is more main stream news than alternative news.

Hey...In Canada, he represented the alternative!
May those big boots of his serve as inspiration to some of those very small people in Parliament.
And I'm not referring to the youngsters.

As a youth who voted in my first Federal election in May (for Jack Layton), I really did shed a tear for the loss of who I thought best represented positive change in Canadian Politics.

I wasn't alone- I'd say probably around 95% of kids my age voted NDP in this last election, and already there is a RIP Jack Layton page on Facebook that has over 20 000 members.

A sad day indeed- a man (and his mustache) that will never be able to be replaced.

RIP

Well.. my condolences to the family, though I am ever skeptical of anyone who attempts change in a system that was not created to serve the people which it governs - we are owned, and so are they. We need new champions - ones who will rally us and demand change, not beg for our vote and then weasel their way out of promises. Nothing changes when you ask nicely. Haven't you learned that?

There is no death - if he was the man he made himself out to be - he will be given bigger and better challenges next time around - his consciousness still exists, unless of course, that is:"

tin foil hat
the whole thing seems suspicious and sets the stage for a new less people friendly meshing of NDP politics. The Paranoiac in me says he was a meat-robot, soulless vessal whose use had become redundant for the direction the PTB would like to take our political climate.
/tin foil hat

reply to post by GoalPoster


He will be missed and long rememberd here where i am

Wow, that was far too soon. Does anyone know the type of cancer He had? I know about a month ago they said it was diffrent type than His earlier diagnosis.

Originally posted by brill
His politics stink but heart breaking for his family, friends and followers. This will most likely drive the ndp backwards but they are not a political party to be taken seriously anyways.

Cancer can suck a fat one though.

brill

Care to elaborate on what of his politics stink. And what an absurd statement " they are not a political party to be taken seriously anyways" What kind of comment is that? They just kicked the Liberals ass in the last election and are in second place as the official opposition.. I think they are being taken seriously but too bad it was only Jack that got them there.
The only statement you made I do agree with is that this will damage the NDP.

My personal opinion is that Jack Layton would have probably made the best Prime Minister in Canadian history. Its funny how the best presidents and other leaders always die or get assassinated..

It seems like all the good politicians are leaving everyone with the bad.
And if your Canadian you'll know who they are.

Jack was a decent family man who always thought about his Country
and the People first.

RIP