Shawn L. Bird

I was so sorry to hear today about the death of Jack Layton, the leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party.  Layton was a statesman whom people trusted and respected.  His personal integrity made him one of the most popular politicians in Canada, and when the NDP became the official opposition in the last election,  it was a first for the party, and it was mostly because people trusted Layton above the other options.

Layton’s battle with cancer was public.  At a recent press conference when he announced that he was stepping down to concentrate on treatment for new cancers, the nation was shocked to see how ill he looked.  Today our nation is flying flags at half-mast in his honour, and a movement is afoot to put a candle in your window at 9 pm to celebrate his life.

He left his wife Olivia with a letter to Canadians.  His parting words are

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.

Jack Layton

Farewell, Jack.  We’re going to miss your integrity, values and abilities.  We’ll do our best to follow in your footsteps and change the world for the better.