Toronto Star
Toronto, August 22, 2011 – Canada became a nation in mourning Monday at news of the death of Opposition Leader Jack Layton.
“On behalf of all Canadians, I salute Jack’s contribution to public life, a contribution that will be sorely missed,” said Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
“I know one thing: Jack gave his fight against cancer everything he had. Indeed, Jack never backed down from any fight.”
Along with many ordinary Canadians offering their condolences on Twitter, Peterr85 wrote:
“Rest in Peace Mr. Layton. Though I myself am not an NDP supporter, to watch a man fight his entire political life to achieve change and earn a place amongst our leaders is admirable.
“Mr. Layton embodied the nature of Canadian democracy, complete with the urge for change matched equally with a dedication to see a challenge through.
“You shall be missed, Sir.”
Another poster, using the name Shannon P., wrote on Twitter:
“It’s like losing your favourite Uncle. His enthusiasm for Canada was a tidal wave that swept us all along, regardless of political stripe. An honourable man who loved Canada and Canadians, a good man we can all be proud of.”
New Democrat MP Libby Davies, one of the deputy leaders, was in tears after she learned the news at the annual Canadian Medical Association meeting in St. John’s, Nfld.
Davies, the party health critic, said Layton devoted his life to making Canada a better country.
“He was a great Canadian. He gave his life to this country. His commitment to social justice and equality and a better Canada in the world and at home. I think that’s how people saw him,” Davies told reporters.
“They saw the courage that he had. He faced cancer and he kept on working, doing his job, because he felt so strongly about what he believed in.”
Davies said she and her NDP caucus colleagues worried about how hard Layton was working during the spring election given his battle with cancer and recent hip surgery, but said they respected his wishes to campaign.
“No one ever worked harder than Jack Layton, day by day, year by year, but the kind of man that he was, he was someone who always gave his all, that’s who Jack Layton was,” said Davies.
Former Toronto mayor David Miller also mourned the loss of Layton’s “personal courage and relentless optimism.”
Said Miller: “I had the privilege of knowing Jack for 25 years, proudly serving with him at the City of Toronto before he was elected as Member of Parliament.
“Whether as a city councillor or as an MP, Jack always fought hard, and successfully, to make a better world for all Torontonians and Canadians.
As a councillor, his leadership in fighting against homelessness and for our environment both resulted in permanent change for the better.”
Nycole Turmel, Layton’s own choice to fill in for him as NDP leader, spoke for herself and the party:
“New Democrats today are mourning the loss of a great Canadian.
“Jack was a courageous man. It was his leadership that inspired me, and so many others, to run for office. We – Members of Parliament, New Democrats and Canadians – need to pull together now and carry on his fight to make this country a better place.
“And we remember the Tommy Douglas quote Jack included in every email he sent: “Courage my friends, ’tis never too late to build a better world.”
Acting Liberal Leader Bob Rae quoted the eulogy of Stanley Knowles for another NDP leader, David Lewis: “Shalom chaver, shalom”. Peace, brother, peace.”
Rae, a former NDP premier of Ontario, said he and Layton had political differences but remained friends.
“He leaves a powerful legacy of a commitment to social justice in his work in Toronto as a city councillor and as a national leader.”
“Collectively, Canadian hearts are breaking,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May. “Jack will always be remembered for his unfailing love of Canada and his dedication to this country and its citizens.”
Outside Jack Layton’s Toronto home just a few hours after Layton’s death, next-door neighbour Ted Hawkins laid a single red rose on his doorstep.
“He was someone you could have a beer with. He was a very down to earth person,” Hawkins said.
“It’s hard to accept,” he said of the news. “I guess I didn’t expect him to go so fast, I guess I kind of shared his optimism a little bit. It’s kind of infectious.”
The last time he saw Layton was on election night.
“I think we’re going to have to spend some time just to let it sink in.”
Liberal MP Carolyn Bennett (St. Paul’s), who was a Toronto doctor, recalled caring for Layton’s children when they were young.
“I can remember a couple of Saturday-morning clinics, where he brought Michael in or brought Sarah in,” Bennett, who had tears in her eyes, told reporters in St. John’s, Nfld., where she and Liberal health critic Hedy Fry were attending the annual CMA meeting.
“I think as family doctors we just feel that we don’t have magic wands and that this street-fighter lost the big fight with the body betrayal, it means that somehow there is something bigger than we.
“He had the biggest success of the career and of his party in May and now it’s just oh so sad.”
“Canada has lost a man of courage and great integrity who embodied the values dearest to Canadians,” said former governor-general Michaëlle Jean in a posting on Twitter:
Jean’s tenure spanned the December 2008 parliamentary crisis, when Layton and the other political opposition leaders expressed non-confidence in the Harper government’s fiscal update, and the NDP and Liberals offered to replace it, with vote-by-vote support from the BQ.
Jean opted to allow Harper to suspend parliament for several weeks, saving Harper’s government.
Said the current Governor-General, David Johnston, “He dedicated his life to serving his fellow citizens. He did this with so much grace. He will be missed.”
U.S. Ambassador David Jacobson offered condolences from “the American people,” and his personal memories:
“I will never forget the image of Jack campaigning as the happy warrior. His energy, enthusiasm and passion for politics and for the Canadian people were undeniable. Something I will never forget. A standard for all of us.”
Former NDP leader Alexa McDonough, whom Layton replaced as leader, said Layton “had a big vision for this country.”
He took the party to a place where no other leader had been able to, she said, and his death just as he won his greatest political victory “seems so cruel.”
Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horvath said Layton “taught Canadians a new kind of politics. He inspired a generation of voters with his principles of compassion, fairness and equality. He spoke to all Canadians, in the cities, in the north, in the country and on the coasts.
“We’ll miss you, Jack.”