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The Council mourns the passing of Jack Layton

Jack Layton and Maude Barlow toasting tap water on World Water Day, March 22, 2009.

The Council of Canadians is profoundly saddened by the passing of Jack Layton. We extend our deepest condolences to Olivia and to his family and close friends.

For more than thirty years, Jack has been active in the movement for social justice – as a city councillor and mayoral candidate in Toronto, as a Member of Parliament, and most recently as the Leader of the Official Opposition.

For those of us who had the opportunity to work with him over the years, one could only be inspired and impressed by his commitment, his capacity, and his leadership.

He was also a great supporter of the Council of Canadians.

We mourn the passing of Jack Layton, we will remember his contributions and work for a better world, and we will keep the closing lines in his last letter in our hearts and in our actions – “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.”