“Politics matter. Ideas matter. Democracy matters, because all of us need to be able to make a difference.”
— Jack Layton
I had begun to hope, in the aftermath of May's federal election, that we would one day see Jack Layton become Prime Minister. It wasn't until I heard the very sad news of his passing yesterday that I realized just how strongly that I'd believed he'd return to lead the NDP as official opposition, despite his illness. The entire country was in shock yesterday and personally I felt it afresh with every article, photo and TV news story I saw about Jack. Such an outpouring of loss and somehow I can still hardly believe it. We lost Jack.
He believed this country could be a better place and that that was an idea worth fighting tirelessly for. Canadians, whatever their political leanings, knew we could count on Jack to fight the good fight with courage, grace, passion and hope. For me, Jack Layton's victory in becoming the leader of the official opposition was the sorely needed bright spot in our most recent election. Both an assurance and a promise of what was to come.
In his last letter to Canadians, Jack directed the following comments at young Canadians, “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.”
I'm grateful for the time Jack had with us. His inspiration rings out clear and strong across the country and although this battle feels heavier without him, I am mindful of his words in that final letter. "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."
We miss you already Jack.
He believed this country could be a better place and that that was an idea worth fighting tirelessly for. Canadians, whatever their political leanings, knew we could count on Jack to fight the good fight with courage, grace, passion and hope. For me, Jack Layton's victory in becoming the leader of the official opposition was the sorely needed bright spot in our most recent election. Both an assurance and a promise of what was to come.In his last letter to Canadians, Jack directed the following comments at young Canadians, “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.”
I'm grateful for the time Jack had with us. His inspiration rings out clear and strong across the country and although this battle feels heavier without him, I am mindful of his words in that final letter. "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."
We miss you already Jack.
