On monday morning Canada lost a very popular politician named Jack Layton from cancer. Jack was the leader of the New Democatic Party from 2003-2011 before he stepped down to focus on his health. In February 2011 Jack announced he had prostate cancer. He vowed to beat the cancer and said it would not interrupt his duties as member of Parliament or as leader of the NDP. The whole country seemed to have his back. On July 25, 2011 Jack announced that he would be taking a temporary leave from his post to fight an unspecified, newly diagnosed cancer. He was hoping to return as leader of the NDP upon the resumption of the House of Commons in September 2011.
He died monday at 4:45am in Toronto with his family.
When we think the word "politician" good words don't come to mind. Jack changed that. All Canadians, regardless of what political office you belonged too, loved Jack. He was the guy who loved to jam and have a nice beer. He always could be found in local bars when the Toronto Maple Leafs were playing a big game.
Aside from being a great person, Jack was a strong leader for us Canadians. He gave us a voice and made sure we were heard in Ottawa during Parliament.
I might Jack back when I was in grade 8, when the grads went to Ottawa and Quebec for a week long school trip. None of the other politicians came out/gave us a tour of this big building that the debates took place in, except for Mr.Layton. He was that type of person.
While on his death bed Jack wrote a letter to all Canadians. It's a lenghy letter basically saying how much he has loved fighting for Canada. He included a paragraph encouaring those who are fighting cancer and young Canadians who want to work in the government.
At the end of his letter Jack wrote this: My friends, love is greater 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.
This is the kind of man who worked for us. Jack: Thanks for all you did, you will be missed.
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