Federal NDP Leader Jack Layton dies

TORONTO, ON. (NEWS1130) – Federal NDP Leader Jack Layton has died.  He was 61.

The party issued a statement this morning, just weeks after a very frail and gaunt Layton held a news conference to announce he was fighting a second type of cancer.

The party says Layton died peacefully at 4:45 a.m. ET at his home in Toronto.  He was surrounded by family and loved ones.

Undoubtedly, one of the greatest successes of his life in politics was his party’s amazing breakthrough in this past federal election, which propelled the NDP into official Opposition in Ottawa.  Last week, the NDP announced he would not be returning in the fall.

After announcing last month that he was taking a leave of absence to fight a second form of cancer, Layton said he was confident that he would return once Parliament resumed in September.

A state funeral will be held in Toronto this Saturday and at 8 p.m. a candlelight vigil will be held in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery.

Social networks jammed

Social networks across Canada were jammed today with a digital procession of mourners for Jack Layton.

By midday, more than 10,000 people had remarked on the NDP leader’s passing on the microblogging site Twitter.

That’s more tweets than were sent daily at the beginning of the last federal election.

Most tweets appeared to be from people expressing their condolences or sending links to online news stories.

Links of a letter Layton wrote to Canadians were also flying furiously across the web in both English and French.

Layton last tweeted on July 25 and thanked Canadians for their support as he battled the cancer that ultimately took his life.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s statement on Jack Layton

“I was deeply saddened to learn this morning of the death of Jack Layton.  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.”

“I know one thing: Jack gave his fight against cancer everything he had. Indeed, Jack never backed down from any fight.  To his wife Olivia, his family, and to his colleagues and friends, Laureen and I offer our heartfelt condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time.”

Interim Liberal Leader Bob Rae’s statement on Jack Layton

“Like all Canadians, Arlene and I are deeply saddened by the death of Jack Layton.  He was a friend of ours for many years, and despite our political differences his decency, good humour and extraordinary resilience earned our deep admiration.  We remained friends throughout our political lives.” 

“On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our Parliamentary Caucus, I express our deep condolences to Olivia and Jack’s family, as well as to his colleagues and friends in the New Democratic Party.  He leaves a powerful legacy of a commitment to social justice in his work in Toronto as a city councillor and as a national leader.”

“Peace and comfort to all.  When David Lewis passed away Stanley Knowles ended his eulogy with the words ‘shalom chaver, shalom.’  Peace, brother, peace.”

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There’s no doubt Jack Layton was a political force in Canada and whether you agreed with his politics or not, we would like to hear your thoughts about his passing, and his legacy.  Sound off below, call the Listener Line at 604.877.6332, email us your thoughts or tweet us @News1130 Radio.

You are also encouraged to sign the Federal NDP’s Condolences Page.