OTTAWA – Quotes about and from the late Jack Layton, the federal NDP leader who died Monday at age 61:
“We deeply regret to inform you that The Honourable Jack Layton, leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada, passed away at 4:45 am today, Monday August 22. He passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family and loved ones.” – Statement from wife Olivia Chow and children, Sarah and Michael.
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“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.” – Layton’s last letter to Canadians.
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“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.” – Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
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“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.” – Harper.
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“As you know, Jack was a musician – he was quite a natural one at that. And we always talked about getting together to jam. But it seemed we were both always too busy. I will always regret the jam session that never was.” – Harper.
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“I learned with great sadness we just lost Jack Layton. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.” – Tweet from Gov. Gen. David Johnston.
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“Throughout his career as a community leader and politician, he constantly strived to bring people together in the common cause of building a better Canada, and he did so with great energy and commitment. His fundamental decency and his love of our country serve as examples to us all, and he will be greatly missed.” – Johnston, in a formal statement from Rideau Hall.
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“It was his leadership that inspired me, and so many others, to run for office. We – members of Parliament, New Democrats and Canadians – need to pull together now and carry on his fight to make this country a better place.” – Nycole Turmel, the rookie Quebec MP and veteran labour leader who stepped in as interim NDP leader when Layton took a leave of absence last month.
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“We remember the Tommy Douglas quote Jack included in every email he sent: ‘Courage my friends, ’tis never too late to build a better world’.” – Turmel.
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“It’s a very big loss for the NDP and it’s a big loss for Canada. He was a very good politician, he loved the profession of being in politics.” – Former prime minister Jean Chretien.
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“No one is irreplaceable, but he is about as close as they come.” – Former prime minister Brian Mulroney.
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“My condolences go to Olivia and to his family and to all who loved him, which included millions and millions of Canadians, as the last election showed. As you saw in the last election, people saw Jack as literally their friend in Ottawa.” – Alexa McDonough, Layton’s immediate predecessor as party leader.
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“Canada has lost a great politician. … I’ve lost a personal friend. He wanted to do things. Whatever the issue that was dear to the lives of ordinary Canadians, Jack had the sense of a doer about him.” – Ed Broadbent, former NDP leader.
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“I am deeply saddened by the untimely death of Jack Layton. Collectively, Canadian hearts are breaking. Jack will always be remembered for his unfailing love of Canada and his dedication to this country and its citizens.” – Green party Leader Elizabeth May.
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“I will never forget the image of Jack campaigning as the happy warrior. His energy, enthusiasm and passion for politics and for the Canadian people were undeniable. Something I will never forget. A standard for all of us.” – David Jacobson, U.S. ambassador to Canada.
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“Despite our political differences, his decency, good humour and extraordinary resilience earned our deep admiration. We remained friends throughout our political lives.” – Liberal Leader Bob Rae, one-time NDP premier of Ontario.
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“Thank you all for your kind messages and support.” – Son Michael Layton on Twitter.
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“We talked about the future.” – Anne McGrath, Layton’s chief of staff and longtime confidante, on her last meeting with him Saturday.
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“Here was someone who had a great deal of energy, obviously, but also a great deal of integrity in terms of the pursuit of principles that he believed were important for the country.” – Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall.
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“The Jack Layton that I knew and worked with had such fierce energy and such passion, but always so much energy. And to think that that energy is now stilled, or at work somewhere else, it’s hard to understand, it’s hard to accept.” – Former Saskatchewan NDP premier Lorne Calvert.
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“Every day, Jack fought for the issues that matter to working people. He truly believed in a Canada where we all had a share and a stake our country’s prosperity and where nobody was left behind. He fought for better pensions. He fought to end poverty and homelessness. He fought for a greener economy and a cleaner environment. He fought for peace. He fought for people.” – Ken Georgetti, president of the Canadian Labour Congress.
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“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.” – Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath.
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“Our sympathies to the family of Hon. Jack Layton on the sad news of his passing. He was a great friend to municipal world & will be missed.” – Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson in a tweet.
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“A unique politician. A man who had the ability to pull people together, to work with people across the aisles, so to speak, and work to improve things for all Canadians.” – Buzz Hargrove, former head of the Canadian Auto Workers, who endorsed the Liberals in the 2006 federal election.
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“I wouldn’t be where I am without Jack Layton. … No one taught me more about city hall work than Jack Layton did. I listened to every word he said. He taught me so much.” – Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, who served with Layton on city council.
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“He touched people at such a human and profound level and they touched him. He expressed the collective dreams of all of us through his policies, his political and personal work and his thousands of relationships.” – Sid Ryan, president of the Ontario Federation of Labour.
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“We are deeply saddened by the loss of a man who has been such an important and influential force on the political scene for so many years. He made his presence felt at all levels, from his time as a councillor for the city of Toronto to his most recent political role as leader of the official Opposition. Mr. Layton was a man of integrity who brought an important voice to Canadian politics.” – Frank Dimant, CEO of B’nai Brith Canada.
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“This is a sad day for Canada. Jack was a talented leader who was deeply respected by Canadians across the country. … Jack’s legacy will live on in Canadian politics. He will always be remembered as a spirited leader, a strong debater, and a uniquely compassionate individual.” – Peter Coleman, president of the right-wing National Citizens Coalition.
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“He was a dedicated politician who served his country with devotion and generosity, was concerned for the common good, and gave a wonderful example of courage and hope, especially during recent months when struggling against cancer. May he rest in peace, and may our Lord comfort all those in mourning.” – Bishop Pierre Morissette, president Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.
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“Jack was a man of remarkable courage and conviction, who leaves behind a tremendous legacy both as a devoted family man and a passionate politician who fought fearlessly for what he believed in. His contribution to Canada’s political life and landscape will be greatly missed.” – Andrew Scheer, Speaker of the House of Commons.
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“Jack’s passing is a loss for all Canadians. His commitment to public service was a model for anyone who wants to make their community or country a better place to live. He was a leader who fought for those Canadians who are sometimes forgotten.” – Berry Vrbanovic, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Layton was once president of the organization.
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“Canadians have lost a man with the rare ability to both lead and to unite our country, a man with infectious enthusiasm and a fighting spirit that so many of us came to admire. It is of course unfair that this day should come so soon after Jack’s tremendous success in the last federal election. It is left now to the rest of us to honour Jack by taking up the great promise he left this country.” – Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter.
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“Canada has lost a great Canadian. Throughout his life and career, Jack was a determined servant of the people. He always worked hard to represent his constituents, their interests and their needs. He was always a tireless champion for people and our communities. Ontarians and indeed, all Canadians, will miss his passion, hard work and fighting spirit.” – Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.
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“Jack Layton’s zest for life, his integrity, and his passion for making a difference, inspired Canadians across the country, regardless of political affiliation.” – Premier Eva Aariak of Nunavut.
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“A passionate Canadian, Jack Layton was a tireless advocate and his energy, dedication and intelligence have been at the service of Canadians since his days as a municipal politician. … He was a dedicated public servant who earned the respect of Canadians for his clear desire to build a better country and his constant good will.”- Premier Christy Clark of British Columbia.
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“Jack was an unfailing supporter of unions and workers’ rights. It’s fashionable in politics right now to blame unions and workers for the world’s troubles. But in becoming leader of the Opposition in Ottawa, Jack was fighting to make a different kind of politics popular again, one that values compassion and collective action. It is tragic that his life was cut short.” – Carmel Smyth, president of the Canadian Media Guild.
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