Jack Layton has lost his battle with cancer, dying Monday morning at his home, surrounded by those closest to him.
The charismatic, 61-year-old politician had recently stepped down as federal NDP leader, but had expressed hope that he would return when Parliament resumed next month.
“I was deeply saddened to learn this morning of the death of Jack Layton,” PrimeMinister Stephen Harper said in a statement.
Harper offered his condolences to Layton’s wife, MP Olivia Chow, and family.
“When I last spoke with Jack following his announcement in July, I wished him well and he told me he’d be seeing me in the House of Commons in the Fall.
“This, sadly, will no longer come to pass.
“On behalf of all Canadians, I salute Jack’s contribution to public life, a contribution that will be sorely missed.
“I know one thing: Jack gave his fight against cancer everything he had. Indeed, Jack never backed down from any fight.”
News of Layton’s death came shortly before 9 a.m. Monday in a statement from his family.
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Notes:
My condolences to Jack’s family. They are in my thoughts today as is the future of his party. A huge loss for all concerned.
I also note as I skim through some of the comments on other sites that the “Jack bashing” is already in full sway. I find that crass on this particular day and I feel we all need to pause and reflect for a decent interval. The man has earned respect even though many disagreed with him and the “post mortem” on his impact on Canadian politics will commence soon enough. Ultimately, our history books will render the final verdict on his career and that is as it should be.
For now Jack should be permitted to “rest in peace” and his family allowed to grieve privately for a few days. Why do I say that? Because “It’s the right thing to do”.
Canada lost a powerful politician today and we should all stop and remember whether we agreed with him or not. As “Cy” mentioned in a comment below it’s called “class” and Canadian politics is nothing if not “classy” as we remember all who put their country first no matter their beliefs.
Jack Layton was one such person and I regret the loss. I say that because he could have steered Quebec in a new direction and likely would have had he lived. Now we will never know as we return to “square one”. Canada lost a lot today and voters should be cognizant of it.
“Cancer”– a truly “filthy” disease that needs to be conquered no matter the cost. Jack would approve.
“Just saying.”
Amen to that.
Shocking how quickly cancer can take someone. God rest his soul. He’s earned a break.
Well said Jack. May he rest in peace.
Thank you, Fay. You understand.
I commented this morning about the abrupt change in tone in certain rows of the Canadian political discussion bleachers. Not so very long ago at all, as far as many of the usual suspects were concerned, Jack Layton was “Taliban Jack”, terrorist supporter & sympathizer, and individual whose patriotism and dedication to Canada were questionable… now on his untimely passing I see a show of what I consider to be keeping up appearances.
Re: “now on his untimely passing I see a show of what I consider to be keeping up appearances.”
Possibly, but my feelings are genuine and heartfelt at this time. I spent years watching my youngest daughter succumb to this filthy disease called cancer and know from personal experience how difficult it can be.
Many families have gone through something similiar and I would clarify that comment if I were you. It doesn’t look good the way it sits.
I’m not sure what needs clarification Jack. Over the years we have all seen the personal attacks on Jack Layton, some of them included calling him a terrorist supporter or a terrorist sympathizer, and I can’t count the number of times we’ve all seen him referred to him as Taliban Jack.
Today, in various places around the ‘net, I see growing numbers of commentors and commentators who engaged in those personal attacks, modifying their stances as a result of his death.
I’m not pointing fingers at any particular individual, website, or newspaper column, Jack, I don’t need to. We’ve all seen the personal attacks and the people who engaged in them, and they cannot have it both ways….. unless of course we can have a respected Canadian politician who supports terrorism.
That’s what I was looking for, Stage. We’re on the same channel. All I want is the usual three day break and then “Bob’s your uncle”.
Thank you.
Disagree with you there stage, Jack earned his political epithets which I do not believe were personal attacks. Politics is a blood sport and Jack gave as good as he got. Now Jack has finally met that great equalizer known as death. For some it comes early like my father at 51 or my son at 20. For others it waits like my mother in law who just past her 90th hale and hearty. For some it comes quickly for others slowly but however it comes death does not elevate one to irreproachable sainthood. Jack was a man. Jack was like us all, a deeply flawed man. His quest for power and prestige sometimes pushed him beyond his level of competence and often led him to form unholy alliances with people and philosophies best left buried in the trash heap of human misery. I do hope that Jack’s family is able to find solace in the face of their loss and I also hope that we all can learn the lesson the Roman soldier etched in that Syrian stone. “There are but two things in this life, Love and Power. No man can have both.”
You’re out of line, Joe. There is much to recall — LATER — not now. I won’t tolerate an argument “pro or con” on this site regarding Layton for the next three days.
“Poof” — you’re gone.”
It’s called respect and something you should know a lot about and in case you haven’t noticed Harper now has NO “official opposition”.
I don’t like that idea one bit so let’s give Layton a break for a few days and then we can get back to this.
There’s political theatre (e.g “Taliban Jack”) and there’s class. If you don’t know the difference then you clearly lack the latter.
When Lucien Bouchard was attacked by the flesh eating disease, a Reform MP left a flower on his desk. If those two polar opposites of political thought can share such civility then there is no excuse for their respective peanut galleries not to do the same.
Many of the condolences start with “… I didn’t agree with his politics … but …” which shows that there are two sides to the issue of death and in that, we all express our feeling at the loss for both the individual and family/friends. Cancer still takes many amongst us and no matter what, death hurts. Jack Layton worked very hard for his Canada and we all need to respect that. His passing takes away a dedicated idealist whose ideals we didn’t have to accept but that doesn’t diminish his death.
Thank you Jack Layton.
Re: “Thank you Jack Layton.”
Agreed.
My feelings about a person do not change because they die. It would be hypocritical to pretend otherwise.
Out of respect for those who personally know someone who dies – it shows class to let them properly mourn their loss. As we would hope others would show class toward us when we suffer a loss.
Just a thought…
You can’t really separate a man from his politics unless the man is a consummate hypocrite. Jack was Mussolini without the antisemitism. He was fighting for a complete subordination of the individual to the State. It is beyond my understanding how anyone can admire a man who was a dedicated enemy of liberty.
That being said, his family has my sympathies.
I know what its like to loose a love one to cancer. Layton’s suffering is over.
My condolences go to his family who now continue their lives without a loved one.