Stan Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 Jack Layton, Canadian opposition leader, dies aged 61 Jack Layton is survived by his wife Olivia Chow (left) and two children Canadian opposition leader Jack Layton has died after a second bout of cancer, aged 61. Layton passed away at his home in Toronto early on Monday surrounded by his wife and children, his family said in a statement. His left-leaning New Democratic Party (NDP) surged to become the official opposition for the first time in May's federal elections. He stepped down only last month as party leader to fight his illness. In a letter released by the NDP after his death was announced, Mr Layton said he remained optimistic about Canada's future and its political system. 'Cherish every moment' "Unfortunately my treatment has not worked out as I hoped," he said. "So I am giving this letter to my partner Olivia to share with you in the circumstance in which I cannot continue." Layton urged readers to "to cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey, as I have done this summer". He described Canada as "a great country, one of the hopes of the world". "We can be a better one," he added, "a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity." Layton called on members of his party to remain committed to their "proud history of social justice", universal healthcare and public pensions. To young Canadians, he spoke of his "belief in your power to change this country and this world". Prime Minister Stephen Harper saluted his late adversary's "contribution to public life, a contribution that will be sorely missed". Canadians paid tribute at Layton's constituency office in Toronto At Parliament Hill in Ottawa, the Canadian capital, the flag was lowered to half-mast on Monday. Layton announced he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in February 2010. He campaigned in spring this year, leaning on a cane after surgery for a broken hip, leading his party to a second-place finish in May's federal elections. On 25 July, the former Toronto city councillor said he was quitting temporarily as NDP leader to fight a newly diagnosed "non-prostate cancer". He was elected in 2003 as leader of the left-leaning New Democrats, long the third-place federal party in the Canadian parliament. Before that, the Quebec native was an activist and community organiser in Toronto, campaigning on issues such as Aids, poverty, violence against women and homelessness. He was elected MP in 2004 from a constituency in Toronto. His popularity helped the NDP to overtake the Liberals in May's elections and become the country's official opposition party, when it took 103 seats, up from 37. He is survived by his Hong Kong-born wife Olivia Chow, also an NDP MP, and his two children from a previous marriage, Michael and Sarah. Layton is to be buried in a state funeral on Saturday, the NDP said. The ceremony, which was offered by Mr Harper, will be open to the public. Quote If you receive benefit to being here please help out with expenses. https://www.paypal.me/clubadventist Administrator of a few websites like https://adventistdating.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M. T. Cross Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 I was really saddened by his passing. While I rarely ever agreed with his politics I certainly appreciated his intense passion and love for our great country. He will truly be missed and it will be a long time before we have a politian with that same fire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon1 Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 It was a tremendous loss for Canada. He was the most genuine of the party leaders and closest to the regular working man. That's why Jack was 'a good guy' to those who met him and why there was such an outpouring of national grief. He was a community worker from the start. Healthcare, social issues, jobs, human rights. His party made historic strides in the latest election, based mainly upon Jack's winning personality. He liked people, they liked him. He was noted for his lack of response even when visciously attacked in parliament, which was often. He was always civil to his enemies, didn't allow dirty politics. This made him an easy target, and so was labeled 'Taliban Jack' for urging Cdn. troop withdrawl from Afghanistan, mocked as a wimp and terrorist sympathizer for trying to save lives. His enemies tried to destroy him, even with a trumped up sex-story just months ago during the May election. And then pretended they loved him during the funeral. I hope his body was checked for Polonium. In demeanour and public works he was the most Christian of all Canada's visible politicians. I believe his background was United Church (Methodist). Many more Canadians will die prematurely because he is gone. Jack Layton, Quebecer, Canadian. Dead from an undisclosed cancer at 61. May others emulate his charity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon1 Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 Thanks for the photo Stan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators John317 Posted September 13, 2011 Moderators Share Posted September 13, 2011 I didn't know about him before, but I'm sorry he passed away. Sounds like he was a very good man and beloved by many of his countrymen. Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barnz Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 so sad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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