The Globe and Mail

In pictures: The life of Jack Layton tgam.ca

"Jack Layton’s passing leaves a hole in the moral centre of Canadian political life.

Though politically shrewd, and sometimes tough with both opponents and caucus allies, there was at his core a righteous optimism – a faith in the possibility of government to craft a better world – that made him a pleasure and a privilege to know.

That he leaves this world at the apogee of political success, having taken the federal NDP from a party in danger of extinction to Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, is something we can and should mourn.

But clichéd though this will sound, we can and we must also celebrate that life and that success. Even those who shared few of his political convictions can appreciate the passion with which he held them, the astute political judgment that helped him advance them, and the principled foundations on which they rested."

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Former Toronto Mayor David Miller's statement:
I am extremely saddened to receive the news of Jack Layton's passing and want to extend my condolences to Olivia and to Jack’s entire family.

I had the privilege of knowing Jack for 25 years, proudly serving with him at the City of Toronto before he was elected as a Member of Parliament.

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Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horvath:

Today New Democrats lost a leader, a mentor and a friend. Jack Layton taught Canadians a new kind of politics. He inspired a generation of voters with his principles of compassion, fairness and equality. He set an example. He brought us together. He spoke to all Canadians, in the cities, in the north, in the country and on the coasts. My heart goes out to Olivia, Mike, Sarah and all of Jack’s family and friends. We’ll miss you Jack.

From the comments section of the Globe and Mail story: "I didn't vote for him,
but I really liked him. Jack Layton was a true Canadian." From HabsFan69

Statement by Liberal Leader Bob Rae:

“Like all Canadians, Arlene and I are deeply saddened by the death of Jack Layton. He was a friend of ours for many years, and despite our political differences his decency, good humour and extraordinary resilience earned our deep admiration. We remained friends throughout our political lives.

On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our Parliamentary Caucus, I express our deep condolences to Olivia and Jack’s family, as well as to his colleagues and friends in the New Democratic Party. 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.

Peace and comfort to all. When David Lewis passed away Stanley Knowles ended his eulogy with the words “shalom chaver, shalom”. Peace, brother, peace.”

City of Toronto to lower flags to half mast to honour former City Councillor Jack Layton:

"On the Council floor Jack Layton was a skilled debater who was well known for responding to the needs of all residents of Toronto. Jack was a fighter and he will be missed in Canadian politics," said Mayor Rob Ford. "On behalf of the Members of Toronto City Council, I extend our deepest condolences to Jack's wife, Olivia, to son Mike Layton who serves on Toronto City Council, to daughter Sarah Layton, and all of his family."

Flags at City Hall, Metro Hall and Toronto civic centres will be lowered to half mast, and will remain lowered until the end of the day of his funeral.

And now, John Ibbitson joins us from Ottawa to talk about Jack Layton's death. Reader's can leave a comment to ask a question. John, there is a great deal to cover in Mr. Layton's legacy, but maybe you could talk a little bit about his start in federal politics: What did the smart money think when he assumed the leadership of the NDP?

Jack Layton arrived as leader of the NDP in 2003, when the party appeared in danger of extinction. Since 1993, under two different leaders, it has shed MPs to the point where it had at one point lost party status.

Can you put into context for us the distance between that start in 2003, and his triumph in May when the NDP formed the Official Opposition?

Jack Layton was to the left of most of the NDP premiers of the last few decades but to the right of many NDP opposition parties. But politicians grow and evolve, and during the years of minority government he tempered his social democratic ideology to fit the circumstances of the day. For example, he led the NDP in supporting NATO's mission in Libya. He certainly believed that he could win the next election and become prime minister, and I think had he lived we would have seen him tack the NDP toward the political centre in order to make that possible.

I had dinner with him in Washington in the spring of 2009, when I was in our DC bureau. He had only recently lost his bid to bring down the Harper government over lack of stimulus spending, and to form a coalition with Stehane Dion's Liberals. He was still frustrated about it, but he also offered a shrewd analysis of what was going on in both the Liberal and Conservative caucuses, and we had a long talk about the challenes facing Barack Obama. In all of my conversations with him, he showed a fascinating mix of political theory and street smarts.

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.
2
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,

The CBC is reading the letter in full on the air... John what's your first blush take on this? It seems like a remarkable document from a Canadian public figure, a sort of public last will and testament for the NDP...

It's maybe the wrong time to ask this, but in the days ahead the NDP will be answering it for themselves if not for all their voters: Can the recent NDP success survive the departure of Jack Layton's unique energy and charisma?