[Dialogue] Canada in Mourning

[Jeanette Stanfield]

Dear Colleagues, 

I thought you might wish to know what is happening in Canada this week.  The Canadian flag is flying
at half mast.  A casket has been viewed by thousands of people in Ottawa and beginning today
in Toronto.  A state funeral will be held tomorrow in Toronto where most of the dignitaries of Canada
and many local people will be present.  The square outside city hall is covered with tributes on its cement walls and floors, all done
in coloured chalk.  The person is Jack Layton, the people's politician if there ever was one. He fought for social justice throughout
his life time and took on many "risky" issues other politicians were afraid to touch.  Never a mayor of Toronto but well loved here
never a prime minister of Canada but well respected across the country.  I think it is the first time that an opposition leader who has
not been prime minister will have a state funeral. 

He changed the landscape of politics in Canada just last spring when he became the leader of the opposition.  Over a 10 year
period under his leadership his party the National Democratic Party grew from relative federal obscurity to a major Federal party.
The biggest change in last spring's election happened when Jack captured the dreams and aspirations of many people in Quebec
and a huge number of voters in Quebec voted  NDP  rather than for candidates of the separatist party.  Suddenly Quebec had become
part of the larger Canadian conversation in a whole new way. 

During the campaign, Jack was in remission from cancer and  recovering from hip surgery but the whole time he remained cheerful, 
optimistic and determined.  Some people voted for the NDP not  perhaps because they were in total agreement policy wise but
because of the integrity of Jack Latham.  At the end of July, a gaunt whispering Jack announced that he had a second unnamed cancer.

I spent two hours today reading the tributes at City Hall and watching the people lining up for hours to pay their respects.  I saw young and 
old of all cultures there in the square just quietly being present .  Jack gave people and young people in particular hope and determination to
create a just and loving world for everyone. He wrote a letter of encouragement to all Canadians and to the young people in particular just a 
few days before he died.   I experienced awe in the heart of Toronto today.  Tomorrow that will overflow across the country. 

If you wish to know more about Layton and the ceremonies happening, go to cbc news:  www.cbc.ca.

Peace, 

Jeanette Stanfield