Canada's Jack Layton(NDP Leader) takes leave to fight cancer

[Noilly Pratt]

http://i55.tinypic.com/n34xnc.jpg


BBC said it best I think---

Canada's opposition leader Jack Layton is stepping down temporarily to focus on his battle against cancer.

The 61-year-old politician was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009 but announced on Monday that he had another cancer elsewhere.

Mr Layton said that he was determined to return to the political front line.

Analysts say his leadership of Canada's left-leaning New Democratic Party over the past eight years has made it a truly national force.

The party won official opposition status for the first time in its 50-year history earlier this year.

"On the advice of my doctors, I am going to focus on treatment and recovery. I will therefore be taking a temporary leave of absence as leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada," said Mr Layton.

Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a statement wishing Mr Layton a speedy and successful recovery.

Analysts say Mr Layton is a resilient and effective politician who has continually challenged Stephen Harper's Conservative government, blaming it for shortfalls in the Canadian economy.

He's looking gaunt and his voice is noticeably raspy.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g0QMDHjjKY

Like or hate his politics, he always appeared a man-of-the-people. I wish him a speedy recovery.

[Godfather]

Not a fan of the NDP whatsoever. But that's too bad, he's an important figure as the head of the opposition for the country and leader for that party and I wish him well. Hope he recovers quickly.

[AntZ]

I'm curious, will he be heading to the U.S. for treatment like so many others do? :-k

[MrsM]

I always liked him as a person - and I still think that if he was a Liberal, that the past 2 elections would have gone very different for Harper

[Godfather]

I'm curious, will he be heading to the U.S. for treatment like so many others do? :-k

So many others? 0.5% of Canadians a year use health care in the US. Of them, less than 25% intentionally went down for care. And many of those go simply for confidentiality (abortions, substance abuse). Most Canadians are happy with the health care we have. Only the fairly wealthy can chose to go to the US for overpriced treatment. (I've sold travel medical insurance - the US's charges are outrageous compared to the rest of the world for even basic care)

Canadians flocking south for care in is a misnomer. The stories about MP Stronach and Premier Williams are nothing but puff pieces. Perhaps made up to sooth the minds of Americans? :P

We are indemnified from health care costs sinking out families or turning people away, and are provided with world-class hospital services. Canada's life expectancy is higher, infant mortality is lower, doctors per capita are nearly identical, and our health care as a %/GDP is 30% less than the US for 25% more financial support :thumbsup:

[samarchepas]

He died today :rip:

[Hal-9000]

Did Layton go?

Holy shit he seemed so vibrant and full of energy even after fighting it the first time..

:(

[samarchepas]

Yes he did this morning...again...:rip:

[MrsM]

Wow - how sad :rip:

That was quick - or at least it seemed quick. Too bad he will not see the NDP through as Official Opposition. He played a huge role in getting them were they are today.

[Noilly Pratt]

Wow - how sad :rip:

That was quick - or at least it seemed quick. Too bad he will not see the NDP through as Official Opposition. He played a huge role in getting them were they are today.

Like or hate his politics, I believe Layton's campaigning prevented the Bloc from being the Official Opposition. For those who do not know, the Bloc Quebecois are pro-separatist for Quebec, and essentially couldn't care less about the rest of our country.

[samarchepas]

Like or hate his politics, I believe Layton's campaigning prevented the Bloc from being the Official Opposition. For those who do not know, the Bloc Quebecois are pro-separatist for Quebec, and essentially couldn't care less about the rest of our country.

Agreed, but it doesn't change much really on who is the Official Opposition because the Conservatives have the majority and yes the Bloc only cares about Quebec and that's about it...they don't care that if they separate it splits Canada in Half...(Would almost be "nightmare-ish" here in NB)

[Godfather]

Very sad day :( Rest in Peace Mr. Layton. Lovely letter he left the country on his deathbed.

He will be getting a State Funeral.

[Noilly Pratt]

And to conclude this...here in its entirety is Jack Layton's last letter to Canadians:


August 20, 2011

Toronto, Ontario

Dear Friends,

Tens of thousands of Canadians have written to me in recent weeks to wish me well. I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughtful, inspiring and often beautiful notes, cards and gifts. Your spirit and love have lit up my home, my spirit, and my determination.

Unfortunately my treatment has not worked out as I hoped. So I am giving this letter to my partner Olivia to share with you in the circumstance in which I cannot continue.

I recommend that Hull-Aylmer MP Nycole Turmel continue her work as our interim leader until a permanent successor is elected.

I recommend the party hold a leadership vote as early as possible in the New Year, on approximately the same timelines as in 2003, so that our new leader has ample time to reconsolidate our team, renew our party and our program, and move forward towards the next election.

A few additional thoughts:

To other Canadians who are on journeys to defeat cancer and to live their lives, I say this: please don’t be discouraged that my own journey hasn’t gone as well as I had hoped. You must not lose your own hope. Treatments and therapies have never been better in the face of this disease. You have every reason to be optimistic, determined, and focused on the future. My only other advice is to cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey, as I have done this summer.

To the members of my party: we’ve done remarkable things together in the past eight years. It has been a privilege to lead the New Democratic Party and I am most grateful for your confidence, your support, and the endless hours of volunteer commitment you have devoted to our cause. There will be those who will try to persuade you to give up our cause. But that cause is much bigger than any one leader. Answer them by recommitting with energy and determination to our work. Remember our proud history of social justice, universal health care, public pensions and making sure no one is left behind. Let’s continue to move forward. Let’s demonstrate in everything we do in the four years before us that we are ready to serve our beloved Canada as its next government.

To the members of our parliamentary caucus: I have been privileged to work with each and every one of you. Our caucus meetings were always the highlight of my week. It has been my role to ask a great deal from you. And now I am going to do so again. Canadians will be closely watching you in the months to come. Colleagues, I know you will make the tens of thousands of members of our party proud of you by demonstrating the same seamless teamwork and solidarity that has earned us the confidence of millions of Canadians in the recent election.

To my fellow Quebecers: On May 2nd, you made an historic decision. You decided that the way to replace Canada’s Conservative federal government with something better was by working together in partnership with progressive-minded Canadians across the country. You made the right decision then; it is still the right decision today; and it will be the right decision right through to the next election, when we will succeed, together. You have elected a superb team of New Democrats to Parliament. They are going to be doing remarkable things in the years to come to make this country better for us all.

To young Canadians: All my life I have worked to make things better. Hope and optimism have defined my political career, and I continue to be hopeful and optimistic about Canada. Young people have been a great source of inspiration for me. I have met and talked with so many of you about your dreams, your frustrations, and your ideas for change. More and more, you are engaging in politics because you want to change things for the better. Many of you have placed your trust in our party. As my time in political life draws to a close I want to share with you my belief in your power to change this country and this world. There are great challenges before you, from the overwhelming nature of climate change to the unfairness of an economy that excludes so many from our collective wealth, and the changes necessary to build a more inclusive and generous Canada. I believe in you. Your energy, your vision, your passion for justice are exactly what this country needs today. You need to be at the heart of our economy, our political life, and our plans for the present and the future.

And finally, to all 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. In the months and years to come, New Democrats will put a compelling new alternative to you. My colleagues in our party are an impressive, committed team. Give them a careful hearing; consider the alternatives; and consider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don’t let them tell you it can’t be done.

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.

All my very best,

Jack Layton

[Hal-9000]

whoa..that was just days before he died.I like the things he focuses on in the shadow of his own death.Class act Jack, RIP :(