Aa
OT: grieving the loss of a truly great Canadian
Today we lost one of the great leaders of our country. Jack Layton, the leader of the federal New Democratic Party, died peacefully today, at home, at the age of 61, as a result of an as yet undisclosed form of cancer. This will likely not be the radar for most of you, but is a huge loss for our nation. This was a man who successfully brought the NDP from its underdog status to that of official opposition of the federal government, for the first time in our nation's history. It was a huge achievement for a left wing party in an environment which was increasing hostile to its left wing values and ideals, ones that this country was built on and which set us apart as, IMO, the greatest nation in the western world.
Jack has fought tirelessly to preserve universal health; to ensure equal rights for the gay community; to improve the lives of the homeless and the mentally ill; to ensure our seniors receive the resources and the care they need to live out the remainder of their lives in dignity. He was one of the very first public advocates for the rights of patients with AIDS. As a young social work student in Toronto in the 90's, I was fortunate enough to cross paths with Jack on a few occasions: as a guest lecturer in one of my classes; as a fellow attendee at local meetings to address the homelessness issue in downtown Toronto; and while attending depositions to city council when Jack served as an elected member of council. Like all whose lives he touched I was struck by his genuine warmth, his compassion, his intelligence and his social conscience, his commitment to public service. As someone said on the news here tonight, when you met Jack, you always walked away feeling like you should be doing more with your own life, he was inspiring just to be near him.
This was a man who was born into privilege, and was the great grand nephew of one of Canada's Fathers of Confederation. He was well educated, earning a PhD from York University. He could easily have chosen a more privileged and profitable path in life, yet chose to work tirelessly on behalf of society's least privileged and most vulnerable. He was a social activist and a grassroots 'community organizer' in a country where this is actually considered a real and valuable job.
As an NDP supporter now living in Alberta, the most right wing province in Canada, I find I'm somewhat of an oddity in a place that votes overwhelmingly in favour of the federal and provincial conservative parties. I wish I was in his riding in Toronto tonight to pay my respects. So instead I'm sharing these thoughts with my friends here, to give you a bit of an appreciation of how truly great a loss we are grieving tonight.
Jack has fought tirelessly to preserve universal health; to ensure equal rights for the gay community; to improve the lives of the homeless and the mentally ill; to ensure our seniors receive the resources and the care they need to live out the remainder of their lives in dignity. He was one of the very first public advocates for the rights of patients with AIDS. As a young social work student in Toronto in the 90's, I was fortunate enough to cross paths with Jack on a few occasions: as a guest lecturer in one of my classes; as a fellow attendee at local meetings to address the homelessness issue in downtown Toronto; and while attending depositions to city council when Jack served as an elected member of council. Like all whose lives he touched I was struck by his genuine warmth, his compassion, his intelligence and his social conscience, his commitment to public service. As someone said on the news here tonight, when you met Jack, you always walked away feeling like you should be doing more with your own life, he was inspiring just to be near him.
This was a man who was born into privilege, and was the great grand nephew of one of Canada's Fathers of Confederation. He was well educated, earning a PhD from York University. He could easily have chosen a more privileged and profitable path in life, yet chose to work tirelessly on behalf of society's least privileged and most vulnerable. He was a social activist and a grassroots 'community organizer' in a country where this is actually considered a real and valuable job.
As an NDP supporter now living in Alberta, the most right wing province in Canada, I find I'm somewhat of an oddity in a place that votes overwhelmingly in favour of the federal and provincial conservative parties. I wish I was in his riding in Toronto tonight to pay my respects. So instead I'm sharing these thoughts with my friends here, to give you a bit of an appreciation of how truly great a loss we are grieving tonight.
Thank you all for taking the time to read about a wonderful, vibrant man many of you did not know, and for your thoughtful responses, condolences and kind words. Two days later my eyes are still tearing up as his loss and what that means for Canada becomes more and more real to me. I'll do my best to heed his words and his message of hope, but for now I am just so very sad.
You have set down a beautiful tribute here DV. Your words introduced some of us to a man we may never have met otherwise. The inclusion of Mr Layton's personal parting thoughts gives us all strength to carry forward into our life journey. Thank you for this gift.
I offer my condolences to all Canadians grieving the loss of the Honorable Jack Layton. He was clearly a beloved leader. I pray his call to love, hope and optimism can help soothe the deep wound his departure created in hearts across your great country.
Mary
I offer my condolences to all Canadians grieving the loss of the Honorable Jack Layton. He was clearly a beloved leader. I pray his call to love, hope and optimism can help soothe the deep wound his departure created in hearts across your great country.
Mary
DV and the rest of my northern neighbors, you have our deepest condolences for the loss of this obviously pivotal public figure. He sounds like a wonderful and insightful leader and I hope your country heeds his words and helps to make this a better place for all.
hugs, Lulu
PS I'm with Alex -we need to clone him for down here.
hugs, Lulu
PS I'm with Alex -we need to clone him for down here.
Oh a very sad loss for Canada, and especially Ontario. Nathan Philips square outside city hall has become a makeshift memorial with people writing tonnes of messages in chalk on all the 1960's era poured cancrete structures. Definately a sight. His Wife Olivia Chow was my MP. She was always in the community (lived in the riding) and showing up at local events etc. As a couple they seemed a perfect match.
My brother in law has the best story of being at their home after a social awareness event, and not realizing they had a pond in the back yard and wading waist deep in water getting drenched. Ended up having to borrow a pair of Jacks jeans to go home LOL.
A huge loss, his optimism was contagious, and he is one reason why many young people acutally starting voting, and taking an interest in politics!
And this:
"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."
True words of wisdom, from someone else facing this disease, My doctor calls this the Cancer Burden, your life if forever changed, and you must make your efforts to live how you want to live.
My brother in law has the best story of being at their home after a social awareness event, and not realizing they had a pond in the back yard and wading waist deep in water getting drenched. Ended up having to borrow a pair of Jacks jeans to go home LOL.
A huge loss, his optimism was contagious, and he is one reason why many young people acutally starting voting, and taking an interest in politics!
And this:
"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."
True words of wisdom, from someone else facing this disease, My doctor calls this the Cancer Burden, your life if forever changed, and you must make your efforts to live how you want to live.
thanks for posting this DV. As a fellow Canadian I am sharing this great loss with you. I never had the opportunity to meet Jack Layton in person but as a life long supporter of the NDP he was was something of a hero to me, as to so many others. My first response is loss of hope, since I saw Jack and his leadership as a light at the end of the current political dark; but, even at this stage Jack continues to inspire, and somehow has renewed my resolve to continue to believe and work towards what he stood for. My best hope is that his legacy will inspire Canadian youth to push back against the tide. He will be sorely missed.
S.
S.
So sorry, DB for the loss of one of Canada's leaders. I hope there will be others to keep up good works for your country.
-Shell
-Shell
My condolences. It is hard to lose anyone, but especially difficult to lose someone so richly talented in word and deed.
Julie
Julie
My condolences to you and your entire country on the death of what seemed to be truly a visionary. Someone who sought only the good in everything and fought hard to right the wrongs. I admit I have never heard of this man prior to your posting
I especially like his closing lines:
"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. "
I think this words apply to any situation and MSers and limbo-landers alike need to remember "love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair."
Ren
I especially like his closing lines:
"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. "
I think this words apply to any situation and MSers and limbo-landers alike need to remember "love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair."
Ren
Here is an excerpt of a letter released today by Jack's wife Olivia Chow; his posthumous farewell to his fellow Canadians.
A letter to Canadians from the Honourable Jack Layton
August 20, 2011
Toronto, Ontario
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.
....
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 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
A letter to Canadians from the Honourable Jack Layton
August 20, 2011
Toronto, Ontario
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.
....
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 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
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