Remembering Jack

In case you are living under a rock, or at least not living in Canada, you might not have heard that Jack Layton died on August 22, and that his funeral was held yesterday. You might also not have seen the enormous outpouring of love and support from across the country. Canadians from all walks of life have come together to remember an inspiring, loving and influential politician. A politician!!! How many people in politics could ever imagine that such a response would be seen for them???

He was really no ordinary politician though. Known simply as "Jack" to most voters, the optimistic and smiley handsome gentleman transformed what we once thought of Canadian politicians. He was a leader of the people, giving a voice to the voiceless. He worked tirelessly as a Toronto councillor, deputy mayor, and eventually as the leader of the opposition to bring issues of domestic violence, homelessness and poverty, environmental impacts and cycling safety, and other social concerns to the forefront of Canadian politics. He engaged voters, particularly youth, to encourage people who had been soured by the voting experience to make a difference in their world. He truly believed that together we could change the world, and embodied these beliefs wholeheartedly.

The country was saddened to learn that Jack had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in early 2010, but saw him fight valiently against the disease. He gave a face to prostate cancer, working with cancer associations and encouraging education and prevention across Canada. He won his battle with cancer, never slowing down in his continuing efforts to bring social justice to the country. He went on to win a shocking victory for the NDP - earning his place as the official leader of the opposition for the first time in the party's history. Across the nation, the people had spoken, showing that they were ready for change and ready for an inspirational leader to bring it.

Only about a month ago, Jack announced that he had been diagnosed with a new type of cancer (though never revealing what the cancer was). Appearing gaunt and frail in his press release, he stated that he fully intended to come back to serve as the party leader when Parliament resumed in September. Sadly, he didn't make it that far. Jack passed away on August 22.

As the daughter of a cancer survivor and continuing patient, and someone who has worked in social and community services and housing advocacy, the passing of Jack Layton made me surprisingly emotional. I never thought that I would be so sad about the death of a politician, but here I was in shock and disbelief to find myself near tears as I watched the news coverage. It didn't take long for Canadians to begin to show their support for Jack. At his office on Broadview Avenue, in front of the Parliament buildings of Ottawa, and at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto, supporters began to lay orange flowers, cards, and letters of sympathy and thanks to the man that we had come to admire. One woman wrote a message in chalk at Nathan Phillips Square. By the next day, every surface of the square was covered in messages (including my own). People lined up for hours when his casket arrived at City Hall, eager to pay their respects in person. On the day of his funeral, thousands lined the streets of Toronto to follow the hearse carrying Layton's casket, and watched from the park next to Roy Thompson Hall as the state funeral took place.

The funeral was simply amazing. Having known that he would pass, Jack had discussed his wishes with his wife Olivia Chow (also an NDP MP) and the reverend who would lead the ceremony. He had made clear the types of music he wanted to have played, and the fact that he wanted the ceremony to be a celebration of life, not a mourning of his death. That is exactly what it became - from the music chosen (from Bach to Van Morrison), the eulogies and readings given (from the Bible, Torah and Quran, and an Aboriginal blessing), languages spoken (English and French), singers chosen (one with physical disabilities, a community church choir, Steven Page), mixed political affiliations (the Liberal Premier of Ontario sitting next to the very conservative mayor of Toronto) and the fact that 600 members of the public were allowed space in the hall, the funeral truly exemplified and celebrated the diversity of the land and people that Jack loved. It was sometimes hard to tell that it was a funeral at all, with standing ovations, cheering and clapping, flags and signs waving from balconies, and cheerful music playing. Truly, it was a celebration of life for everyone, just as Jack would have wanted it to be.

In his final letter to Canadians, written just days before his death, Jack made clear his wish that Canadians carry on his work. Regardless of political affiliation, whether you agreed with his politics and beliefs or not, I think that everyone can learn from these words:

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.