“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.”
---Jack Layton’s last letter released after his death
Local 1000A is deeply saddened to learn about the death of the Honourable Jack Layton, leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada. He passed away on August 22, 2011 at 4:45 a.m. surrounded by family and loved ones.
“We are heartbroken to learn about the death of our brother, Jack Layton,” said Pearl Sawyer, President of Local 1000A. “He was a true light of the left, who dreamed and worked tirelessly with compassion, integrity and fairness to build a better world.”
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Layton was an unrelenting advocate for workers, unions and the labour movement.
“I think we've come to where we are because of those positive ties and working together for working families," he said to reporters at the NDP Convention this summer
Layton had been diagnosed with an unidentified cancer this year, just as he was successfully fighting back against prostate cancer.
“On behalf of UFCW Canada Local 1000A, I express my deepest condolences to Olivia Chow, Sarah and Mike Layton - Jack will never be forgotten,” Sawyer said.
His death comes months just after he led the NDP to its best election results in history with 103 seats.
In a letter to Canadians released after his death, Layton shared his vision for Canada.
“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... Don’t let them tell you it can’t be done.”
Goodbye Jack. You will be missed.
To send condolences to Jack's family, please visit http://www.ndp.ca/express_your_condolences
