Dear Editor:
I was truly saddened to hear that Jack Layton had lost his battle against cancer this past Monday morning.
In a country that at times has lacked truly dynamic political personalities, Jack Layton truly stood out from the crowd. What you saw with Jack is what you got. There was a tremendous affability about him. He was genuine and passionate.
And in more recent times, his greatest attributes came forward: his strength, resiliency, courage and his unwillingness to give into any of the challenges laid before him, health wise or in politics. Right to the very end.
I was fortunate enough to have Jack and his wife, Olivia Chow, present when I proposed to my wife, Sheila, at an event in Burnaby in the summer of 2007.
As well as having the privilege to have been a driver for him during one of his many weekend trips to the West Coast, I got to spend the day watching how a leader of a political party manages to fly into Vancouver on a Friday evening, cram in five events, including a nighttime event all day Saturday, and then jump on a plane and head home to spend Sunday with the family back in Toronto. All with no letdown whatsoever in his level of enthusiasm and energy.
When I think of Jack Layton, the one word that comes to mind in terms of his leadership: scrappy. He was fiercely passionate about Canada.
He wore that passion on his sleeve, and I believe it was that passion and determination that made him such a dynamic person, not just a political leader, but an outstanding citizen.
If more people in Canada, not just politicians, but everyday people were as passionate about Canada as Jack was, our country would be much the better for it. All you have to do is look at the recent federal election campaign. The campaign started right after Jack had hip replacement surgery. He criss-crossed the country innumerable times with his trusty cane, right until the last day of the campaign. He was tireless in his work, and the results are now evident in Ottawa.
Then, he led the longest filibuster in Canadian history, fighting the "back to work" order for Canada Post employees.
He quite literally, I think, gave until he could give no more. My thoughts are with his family, colleagues (a few I know on a personal level), and all Canadians, friend and foe alike inside and outside the political arena, who were touched or influenced by Jack Layton and his courage, passion, and determination. As well as his love and compassion.
At the same time, I find inspiration and hope in the tremendous legacy he has left behind, in his vision of a just and fair Canada, and in the way he continued to fight right until he could not fight anymore. But especially, I find inspiration from the some of the words near the end of the open letter he wrote to Canadians on Aug. 20: ". 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." While he has passed on, his legacy will always remain strong.
Dave Lundy, Burnaby
