Jack Layton

Tribute For Jack Layton - College Street Bike Lane - Toronto © Martin Reis

Of all the photos I've seen of Mr Layton in the past two days, this is still the one that resonates most with me. It's from Martin Reis, a visual artist and independent photo journalist based in Toronto. You can check out his Flickr stream here.

I guess the reason the photo strikes a chord with me is that it strongly represents one of Jack Layton's many passions: cycling. Watching the CBC's John Northcott yesterday, he reminded me all the issues Mr Layton had tackled before they became popular topics. Homeless. AIDS. Violence against women. The environment. One can only wonder what more Jack Layton could have accomplished had we been lucky enough to have him around.

Walking home with the kids last night, Matthew asked if I was okay; I suppose I was a little quiet. I told him Jack Layton had died, early in the morning. I then asked if he even knew who the man was.

"He's the leader of the NDP, isn't he?"

"Yes, he was." I answered. "I'm surprised you knew that. I'm pleased you knew, but surprised."

"What did he die of?" Matthew asked.

"Cancer."

"Oh."

Comments

[Joy]

Thanks for this entry, Mike. Jack Layton was a man who will go down in history as a man with much foresight and above all honesty. The NDP has indeed been fortunate with quite a few of its leaders....I just wish that Canada would listen to what they have to say - Really listen....

jx

[Mum]

Hi Mike, I personally did not have the opportunity to meet Jack Layton, but I must say his charisma and personal magnetism did draw people to listen, even to encourage some to vote, which they had not done previously. I had hoped he would see his visions/dreams materialize...his determination,his optimism. We have lost a great leader...(I cried and prayed for Jack and his family); it reminded me of when we lost John F. Kennedy, another great leader.

[grandpapa]

It is rare that we have a charismatic leader as Jack was, he pulled for the underdog, the common people, one of the reasons of course that we all liked the man. What I liked much about him however was his positive thinking, never quit, love rather than hate, and most of all, keep fighting for the truth.