We're going to take a break from our regular scheduled programming for a moment of silence.
Jack Layton, the leader of the NDP and Canada's official opposition, passed away this morning at the age of 61. He had recently taken time off from politics to fight with an unspecified cancer, and he passed away this morning in his home.
It was hard news to wake up to this morning, not only because Layton was progressive Canadians' best hope of representation, but because he seemed like a truly great man. He went by the nickname Smilin' Jack, and it was fitting—he was a true optimist and a community man, rarely seen without a smile. His wife, Olivia Chow, is also a federal politician (and in fact, represents my riding of Trinity-Spadina), and they always seemed very happy and in love with one another.
We here at Burgundy Girls are shocked and saddened by the news. We celebrated Layton and the NDP's historic win during the last election (they more than doubled their highest amount of seats), and hoped this meant there was a reversal of the conservative tide in Canadian politics. Regardless of your political leanings, there was no denying that Jack Layton loved Canada, loved Toronto, and did his job admirably—providing a voice to a huge portion of the Canadian population.
Now, with Layton's passing, we can only hope the mantle of hope and change will be taken up by other politicians. He will be sorely missed, and we're glad we got to experience some of the joy and optimism he brought to the political table.
For a taste of what Layton was like, enjoy this fun little spot from the Rick Mercer Report from last year, where Layton shows Mercer around his eco-friendly home, right in the heart of an old Toronto neighbourhood. He also speaks Cantonese with his wife and mother-in-law, and pokes some fun at himself.
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Jack Layton, the leader of the NDP and Canada's official opposition, passed away this morning at the age of 61. He had recently taken time off from politics to fight with an unspecified cancer, and he passed away this morning in his home.
It was hard news to wake up to this morning, not only because Layton was progressive Canadians' best hope of representation, but because he seemed like a truly great man. He went by the nickname Smilin' Jack, and it was fitting—he was a true optimist and a community man, rarely seen without a smile. His wife, Olivia Chow, is also a federal politician (and in fact, represents my riding of Trinity-Spadina), and they always seemed very happy and in love with one another.
We here at Burgundy Girls are shocked and saddened by the news. We celebrated Layton and the NDP's historic win during the last election (they more than doubled their highest amount of seats), and hoped this meant there was a reversal of the conservative tide in Canadian politics. Regardless of your political leanings, there was no denying that Jack Layton loved Canada, loved Toronto, and did his job admirably—providing a voice to a huge portion of the Canadian population.
Now, with Layton's passing, we can only hope the mantle of hope and change will be taken up by other politicians. He will be sorely missed, and we're glad we got to experience some of the joy and optimism he brought to the political table.
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For a taste of what Layton was like, enjoy this fun little spot from the Rick Mercer Report from last year, where Layton shows Mercer around his eco-friendly home, right in the heart of an old Toronto neighbourhood. He also speaks Cantonese with his wife and mother-in-law, and pokes some fun at himself.
He also modeled for Prada and Gucci back in the day—what a babe, right?
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Here's to a great man whose legacy, spanning all party lines, will never be forgotten.
Layton's last note to the Canadian people, written two days ago, can be read here. It contains his advice for the future of the NDP party but also the future of the country. We should take solace in his final words to us. We should use it as a new opportunity to live with intention and stand for the change that we want to see in how Canada is governed.
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 just watched that video. Very cute.
ReplyDeleteThis post is the first thing to make me nearly teary today.
So sad, guys.
This makes me worry even more about our political climate right now.