Canadian NDP Leader Jack Layton dead of cancer, age 61

[SidDithers]

http://livenews.thestar.com/Event/Jack_Layton_dead_at_61

Jack Layton, the New Democratic Party leader who led his party to Official Opposition status in this year’s federal election, has died after a battle with cancer. He was 61.

"We deeply regret to inform you that The Honourable Jack Layton, leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada, passed away at 4:45 am today, Monday, August 22," said a statement from his wife Olivia Chow and his children Sarah and Michael Layton. "He passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family and loved ones. Details of Mr. Layton’s funeral arrangements will be forthcoming."

Layton announced July 25 that he would take a leave of absence as party leader to fight a second, and evidently much more serious, bout of cancer.

Very sad news.

Edit: link to CBC. The Star doesn't seem to want to load quickly.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/08/22/layton-obituary.html

Sid

[marmar]

1. Oh no.

nt

[Cirque du So-What]

2. Sorry for your loss, Canadians

Truly.

[CreekDog]

3. damn

:(

[lightningandsnow]

4. :(

An activist friend of mine passed away recently, and one of my friends posted this on her facebook wall:

"Rest in Peace, Jack Layton. I know (our friend) will look forward to seeing you again."

It actually made me cry like a baby.

[malaise]

5. Sad indeed

Deepest sympathy Canucks

[socialshockwave]

6. He was the last best hope for this country.

I fear the NDP will never recover from this. Jack WAS the NDP.

[Cestode]

7. Terrible news.

Jack Layton made our NDP party as what it is today, a good, socially-minded opposition.
I'm afraid the NDP won't be able to replace that kind of leadership.

RIP Jack.

[SidDithers]

8. And I think the NDP success in the last federal election...

was almost entirely due to Layton's likeability as a Leader. Especially the great gains made by the 'dippers in Quebec.

Sid

[Locut0s]

9. RIP Jack...

A kinder more passionate and genuine seeming politician I have not seen. He singly handedly brought the NDP to the heights they are at today.