RIP Jack Layton

CCIP · 08-22-11, 01:37 PM

Canada's federal opposition leader has passed away today after his battle with cancer.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14618943

Whether or not you agree with his party's left-leaning platform (and to a large extent I did not), it's hard not to feel sorry for him. He was a stand-up guy, mocked by [current Canadian PM] Harper and others during the last campaign as having no chance of ever forming government, and then coming in strong to lead his party to their first-ever turn at being the official opposition. He always struck me as reasonable, respectful and amicable. When I lived in Ottawa for several years, he could frequently be spotted near Parliament Hill, wandering around and chatting to ordinary people (including my dad at one point), without any pomp or any sign of security.

Really a rare case of a politician that I can truly say I admired and will miss, even if I didn't vote for him.

His final letter to the public really does reflect his cool-headed, reasonable and down-to-earth style of PR. Quite sad to read

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/stor...st-letter.html

Bilge_Rat · 08-22-11, 03:09 PM

yes, very sad news.

RIP Jack.

Jimbuna · 08-22-11, 03:19 PM

RIP Sir

Highbury · 08-22-11, 04:57 PM

I didn't vote for his party, but I always found him a likable personality. Of course I had heard about his cancer, but this to me was very sudden. He still looked very healthy during the election campaign and the few times I have seen him since.

RIP Jack

joea · 08-23-11, 09:22 AM

One of the few honest politicians left in Canada and very sorry to see him go.

RIP Jack.

Gerald · 08-23-11, 09:23 AM

RIP Jack!

08-22-11, 01:37 PM	#1
CCIP Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Waterloo, Canada Posts: 8,700 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 2	RIP Jack Layton Canada's federal opposition leader has passed away today after his battle with cancer. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14618943 Whether or not you agree with his party's left-leaning platform (and to a large extent I did not), it's hard not to feel sorry for him. He was a stand-up guy, mocked by [current Canadian PM] Harper and others during the last campaign as having no chance of ever forming government, and then coming in strong to lead his party to their first-ever turn at being the official opposition. He always struck me as reasonable, respectful and amicable. When I lived in Ottawa for several years, he could frequently be spotted near Parliament Hill, wandering around and chatting to ordinary people (including my dad at one point), without any pomp or any sign of security. Really a rare case of a politician that I can truly say I admired and will miss, even if I didn't vote for him. His final letter to the public really does reflect his cool-headed, reasonable and down-to-earth style of PR. Quite sad to read http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/stor...st-letter.html __________________ There are only forty people in the world and five of them are hamburgers. -Don Van Vliet (aka Captain Beefheart)

08-22-11, 03:09 PM	#2
Bilge_Rat Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: standing watch... Posts: 3,856 Downloads: 344 Uploads: 0	yes, very sad news. RIP Jack. __________________

08-22-11, 03:19 PM	#3
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,539 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	RIP Sir __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

08-23-11, 09:23 AM	#6
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	RIP Jack! __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

08-22-11, 04:57 PM	#4
Highbury The Old Man Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: 51.557, -0.102 Posts: 1,311 Downloads: 177 Uploads: 0	I didn't vote for his party, but I always found him a likable personality. Of course I had heard about his cancer, but this to me was very sudden. He still looked very healthy during the election campaign and the few times I have seen him since. RIP Jack

08-23-11, 09:22 AM	#5
joea Silent Hunter Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: At periscope depth in Lake Geneva Posts: 3,512 Downloads: 25 Uploads: 0	One of the few honest politicians left in Canada and very sorry to see him go. RIP Jack.