I was prepared to write my usual weekend in summary, and all the antics that this weekend brought. I was prepped with photos, and lists of things I had to do this week… and then the world (or at least Canada first) was hit with the
news, “
Jack Layton lost his biggest battle early Monday morning, succumbing to cancer. He was 61. Surrounded by his wife, NDP MP Olivia Chow, other family members and friends, Mr. Layton died “peacefully at his home,” according to a statement issued by his wife and children Monday.”
I was (as I’m sure most Canadian’s, and those around the world with some international knowledge of leadership) speechless. “Layton's death is not only
heartbreaking in how quickly it came after he announced his illness on July 25, but that it came so soon after what is considered to be Layton's greatest political achievement.” (
http://www.ctv.ca/). In his speech on July 25th, in which he announced his intention to step down as leader of the NDP party, it was clear, “Though he looked and sounded weak, Layton's resolve was strong.
He wanted a better Canada and said his party would help build "the country of our hopes, of our dreams, of our optimism, our determination, our values and our love." Those were the last words Layton said publicly to Canadians, before a final, "Thank you very much." (
http://www.cbc.ca/).
No words could express the loss, sorrow, deflation, and basic sadness that was brought on by the news. I felt disheartened for his family, friends, his party – for they’ve known no better leader – and those who looked up to him.
I have been motivated and inspired by this man since I was in high school – the year I graduated, he was elected leader of the NDP, and
he changed my life. He was often admired and criticized (until the end) for his ability to draw the media’s attention, and ‘walk the talk’. He was also centre of controversy soon after
his election into NDP party leadership, when he made comments suggesting Prime Minister Paul Martin was responsible for the deaths of many homeless people by failing to provide them with adequate housing. though the statement overshadowed his campaign, I was taken aback by Mr. Layton’s ability to speak his mind, in the face of potential criticism. He spoke for those who had no voices, and made sure he was loud and clear. I believe it was at this point that I took true that a person can’t always make friends – and some people will dislike you – but if you’re speaking honourably for those with no voice, then you can be proud every day for those comments. It was his belief in speaking out for others that made concrete my decision to move from the business program into which I had been accepted, into a more suitable sociology and anthropology program (much to my parent’s – and others – dismay) in my last year of high school.
He continued to gain the confidence of others, by doing the only thing he knew how – speaking his mind, speaking the truth, and living what he truly believed to be the ‘right way’. It was not his successes that I admired, but the way in which he handled his misses. Most would describe these small deficiets to success 'failures', but
it was from Jack Layton that I first truly understood, and believed, there are no failures - only oppourtunities for learning, growth, and progress.
I was often confronted – as an extreme left wing supporter, and a Jack Layton fan – with the information that Jack Layton was accused of living in a housing cooperative from 1985 – 1990. His critics stated that his wife, Olivia Chow, and his own combined income exceeded $120,000, and therefore it was seen as ‘taking advantage of the system’ for them to reside in such housing. What the article in the Toronto Star neglected to note was that the couple paid the $325 per month top up to offset their share of the co-op's Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation subsidy, and were the only members of the co-op at the time to do so. In response to the article, the co-op's board argued that having mixed-income tenants was crucial to the success of co-ops, and that the laws deliberately set aside apartments for those willing to pay market rates, such as Layton and Chow. There are understandable arguments that Layton was consuming space that could have been given to a person or family who required that space more urgently - just as there are many arguments for his residence in the housing co-op – including his knowledge of co-operative housing policy, politics in general, and business background, all of which contributed greatly to the housing board, which he sat on. It was my trust in him, and his belief and motivation for change that gave me the confidence to calmly discuss these discrepancies – and stand for what I believe in. In this case, quite confidently, I believed in Jack as a leader who was looking out for me. His commitment to his political views, and his idealism, was something greatly lacking in our political system. He brought this fervently everyday, to his career, to fight for Canadians.
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| jack layton and i at a community living fundraiser in summer of 2010 |
Last year, I met him at a
community living fundraiser, where we spoke of community led development, the crossover between and the merging of the corporate and non-profit world, and how it was changing, and my studies in my undergrad and masters. He so eloquently (and never fraudulently) offered to be my pHd advisor, as his plan was to return to teaching following his run as leader. He suggested that I go work with Olivia, as she would love me, and it would give me the oppourtunity to work outside some policy, etc. We shook hands after about 25-30 minutes, and departed. I was elated. My friends were amused by my star-struck behavior, but it truly was a moment I will never forget.
Unfortunately, I experienced some health issues myself, thus causing a stall in my political and career motivations. no excusing, i tried to be as involved as possible in this recent election, though my focus was on speanding time healing.
This past spring, I walked outside of my house, and nearly collided directly with Mr. Layton, cane in hand. I said hi, he joked about the cane (as ours matched, and he said, “we’re FAR too young to be using these, don’t you agree?”), and we spoke in great detail about his campaign. I will never forget what happened then… He asked me, ‘So - have you been working with Olivia?' I wasn’t quite sure how to react, and my muffled, “hunh?” was, I’m sure, a laugh for him. He then said, “you and I met almost a year ago, and we spoke of your intentions to follow some passions – and my advice was that Olivia would be lucky to have you. I can see you’ve most likely encountered some difficulties recently to prevent that, but have you pursued it any further?”
I was shocked. He remembered me. It was the best day of my life.
Jack Layton was my hero; he taught me that no one else will be true to you – you have to do that for yourself. He taught me that
being liked is not as important as being effective and compassionate for those who mean the most to you. He taught me that success comes from hard work, dedication to perfection & collaboration, and optimism that never runs out; and with this, he taught me that success is not in numbers or results - instead it could be in one persons ‘thank you’, or another person’s improvement in quality of life, translating to your having made a true and meaningful impact. He taught me that we can all be defined by sometimes menial items (like a moustache); but at the end of the day, we are defined by those characteristics that we held true to – those things like strength, honour, trust, and passion. He taught me that
respect for those around us – even those we don’t agree with – is the only thing that will bring us to an improved future.
And I’m not the only one – from
ten things I’ve learned’s special note on Jack Layton, we learn “
Even people who are larger than life are still people. We are still mortal"; "
Your actions define you. I look up to people who can truly live their values every day;” and, “
Politicians have to be able to care for those who are at the margins of society. I’m paraphrasing, but a country is defined by how well they take care of their poorest citizens.“
And most importantly, he taught me 3 things that i hold close to me – things that he spoke in a speech as he was running for NDP leader in 2003, and restated often in his campaigns until the most recent in 2011. The 3 things that he left all Canadian’s with, in his final words to us:
Love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair.
As noted on
ctv.ca, “While not everyone agreed with Layton's socialist views, there were few who didn't respect the man's passion and work ethic.”
so, then, for lack of the right words or actions with which to mourn the loss of a life, a few important things to celebrate: the life of jack Layton,
in photos; and
jack layton’s final words to Canadians…. which i encourage everyone to read in its entirety, as it is poigniantly heartbreaking, and yet beautifully optimistic. (small portion below):
In respect to my hero, my role model, and the man who taught me the most that any ‘stranger’ has ever taught me, a moment of silence for arguable one of the most influential man in Canadian politics.
we have lost a wonderful man, father, leader, inspiration, and political figure. it is an astounding loss for not only his family, but for the political spectrum and the people he inspired. though i am confident - inspiration never dies.
Rest In Peace Jack Layton. you changed my world.
