I'll be honest - I didn't want Jack Layton to be my Prime Minister (even though I have only ever voted NDP - shock! horror! - and have often felt that his party values the things I love most about my country more than all the others. Yes, I know there are examples to the contrary - please don't feel compelled to list them, as that is not the point I'm driving at). It's also true that I used to laugh when Jack would cycle past me on the streets of Ottawa, and that I have never been a fan of his partner. Regardless, Jack Layton was a great leader, and our country has lost a good man. I hope that others will be inspired by his passion and love for Canada, and that we will continue to make things better for all.
The following is an excerpt from Jack's final letter to 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.[...]
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."
R.I.P. Jack.
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