[Gh0stRider]

He lost his battle with cancer this morning.

RIP

TORONTO, ON. (NEWS1130) -Federal NDP Leader Jack Layton has died. He was 61.

The party issued a statement this morning, just weeks after a very frail and gaunt Layton held a news conference to announce he was fighting a second type of cancer.

The party says Layton died peacefully at 4:45 a.m. ET at his home in Toronto. He was surrounded by family and loved ones.

Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[StylinRed]

damn he looked really bad when he said he was stepping away and when he didnt show up to that gathering recently i thought he was likely in a bad state but i didnt imagine this


rip

[spoon.ek9]

oh no... i was hoping he'd pull through but in the back of my mind i knew he was going to pass after seeing him on tv that last time :(

RIP

[JD¹³]

Not a man I'd ever voted for but I have a lot of respect for someone who puts their money where their mouth is and stands up for what they believe in. Jack was a fighter in both his personal and professional life and genuinely cared about his campaign. He'll be a big loss for Canadian politics.

RIP Jack.

[Soundy]

Not a man I'd ever voted for but I have a lot of respect for someone who puts their money where their mouth is and stands up for what they believe in. Jack was a fighter in both his personal and professional life and genuinely cared about his campaign. He'll be a big loss for Canadian politics.

RIP Jack.

Too true. I don't care what your political stripe, Jack was passionate about what he did and about the country - that's as much as you could ask of any public servant.

[Jsunu]

Too true. I don't care what your political stripe, Jack was passionate about what he did and about the country - that's as much as you could ask of any public servant.

true true, he seemed like a really personable guy. RIP

[411ken]

RIP Jack!

[Vansterdam]

RIP monopoly man

[hotjoint]

RIP

[jaemc]

RIP.

[Domani]

Not a man I'd ever voted for but I have a lot of respect for someone who puts their money where their mouth is and stands up for what they believe in. Jack was a fighter in both his personal and professional life and genuinely cared about his campaign. He'll be a big loss for Canadian politics.

RIP Jack.

You got it.

[Alatar]

RIP Jack, wouldve been something to see if he had won the last election.

[white_guilt]

RIP Jack, didn't agree with your platform, but massive props for getting rid of the Bloc once and for all.

[CP.AR]

RIP Jack Layton..

Though I didn't really agree with you nor your party, I applaud your efforts in standing for what you believe in, and what you believe is the best for Canadians

[spideyv2]

Was my first time voting this year and I voted for NDP.

RIP Jack

[aikenluu918]

Rip jack, you battled hard.
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[eDy]

sad to hear after ndp had such a great showing on the last election

rip jack

[kayceeee]

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.

I recommend that Hull-Aylmer MP Nycole Turmel continue her work as our interim leader until a permanent successor is elected.

I recommend the party hold a leadership vote as early as possible in the New Year, on approximately the same timelines as in 2003, so that our new leader has ample time to reconsolidate our team, renew our party and our program, and move forward towards the next election.

A few additional thoughts:

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 the members of our parliamentary caucus: I have been privileged to work with each and every one of you. Our caucus meetings were always the highlight of my week. It has been my role to ask a great deal from you. And now I am going to do so again. Canadians will be closely watching you in the months to come. Colleagues, I know you will make the tens of thousands of members of our party proud of you by demonstrating the same seamless teamwork and solidarity that has earned us the confidence of millions of Canadians in the recent election.

To my fellow Quebecers: On May 2nd, you made an historic decision. You decided that the way to replace Canada’s Conservative federal government with something better was by working together in partnership with progressive-minded Canadians across the country. You made the right decision then; it is still the right decision today; and it will be the right decision right through to the next election, when we will succeed, together. You have elected a superb team of New Democrats to Parliament. They are going to be doing remarkable things in the years to come to make this country better for us all.

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 Layton

Layton's letter to Canadians - News1130 (http://www.news1130.com/news/national/article/269270--jack-layton-s-letter-to-all-canadians)
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[RHMadness]

Rest in Peace Jack.. Our team tried to put you in the PM chair last election and although we didnt succeed you and the whole team fought to become the official opposition. When we do finally win, I hope you are up there smiling because it was you who created the foundation and led us in the right direction. You will be missed.

[Durrann]

RIP Jack

[xilley]

RIP

[dachinesedude]

you know something wasnt right when he made his speech last month on stepping down, he was soooooo skinny and frail

RIP

[BaBiE_Bee]

rip

[Ikkaku]

Like most people mentioned; not exactly a person I would for vote based on their platform, but nonetheless, he was absolutely passionate at doing what was best for this country. Canada lost a great and caring voice.

RIP Jack

[Manic!]

Terrible news.

[XplicitLuder]

man first year voting and i voted for him :( may he rest in peace

[nosaj]

RIP Jack Layton :(

[MindBomber]

I'm taking this news hard. Whether Jack was a personal friend or not he was a man who I held nothing but the greatest respect and admiration for; his passion and caring in a world filled with corruption is an inspiration. There have been few, if any, Canadians with a greater love, passion or pride for this country.

I'll be attending the candle lighting ceremony at the VAG tonight, I hope some of you do as well. Log In | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=268741016471440)

[Ch28]

I think this is a huge hit to Canadian politics.

You might not like Layton for his platform and party but you have to admire and respect the man for the true passion he had in his vision on making Canada a better place for all of us.

I really feel that he's the only candidate that really believes in what he does and truly wants to make Canada better because of it.

[avinayyar]

RIP Jack

[124Y]

R.I.P. :(

[LiquidTurbo]

If this news was about Harper, I wouldn't care. But RIP Jack.
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[Honyoung]

RIP :(

[insomniac]

RIP :(
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[achiam]

"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."

Wow....

[palepilsenpin0y]

...

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 Layton



Extremely powerful words. RIP :(

[Roach]

RIP :(

He was a very charismatic leader. Went out a class act too.

Inspirational. Whether you agreed with his political platform or not.

Kev

[Spectre_Cdn]

Canada's loss.

R.I.P.

[mos_skeeto]

rip :(

[suprasian]

rip ...

[Super Dipper]

rip.

monumental loss to canada

[cliffhanger33]

RIP
Jack died of a second cancer, but did the news ever disclose the type of cancer?

[RRxtar]

RIP Mr Layton.

His love for Canada and passion for what he believes in doesnt come around very often. It wasnt what I believe in, but you absolutely have to respect the man.

[spideyv2]

RIP
Jack died of a second cancer, but did the news ever disclose the type of cancer?

pretty sure it was prostate cancer. not 100% tho

[jeedee]

RIP Jack Layton

[EndLeSS8]

This really sucks. I normally dislike EVERYONE in Canadian politics, but this is a guy that I actually liked a good amount. Quite saddened and upset by the news.

[HonestTea]

RIP

[hypercube]

RIP Jack

[FN-2199]

"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."

Wow....

Those words struck a big note with me. RIP

[UnName]

RIP, Canada has lost a great man who looked out for its people.

[fobulaus]

Rest in peace Jack.

[7seven]

I despised the majority of the NDP platform and Layton's political beliefs, however, respected him despite that. RIP.

[shenmecar]

that is the most inspiring read I have had in a very very long time.

rip jack layton. a true canadian.

[tonyvu]

RIP.... i voted for him too.. :(

[Oleophobic]

Those words struck a big note with me. RIP

Such inspiring words. Definitely will be a quote I remember for a long time.

RIP

[Minata]

paid my respects @ parliament today. RIP.
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[BaBiE_Bee]

Jack Layton Memorial outside Toronto's City Hall (from reddit)

Flickr: Jackman Chiu's Photostream (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lewolf011/)