I searched for a diary on the passing today of NDP Leader Jack Layton. I know that there a number of Kossacks who are from Canada or who now live in Canada and would be terribly saddened by this horrible horrible news. I saw his press conference from last month when he announced his leave of absence as leader of the NDP Party. It was a shock to those in attendence to see Jack so frail and weak from a reoccurence of his cancer. I am numb and sad and filled with tears. I feel about as low as when my father died from cancer a few years back.
For those of you new to Canadian Politics, the NDP has been the force for much of progressive change in Canada. Under Jack's optimistic and passionate leadership, he helped guide the NDP to historic heights in the last election with 103 seats in parliament and forming the official opposition. Public polling consistently found that Canadians trusted "Smiling Jack" the most. For now, this leaves a huge void in progressive politics in Canada. Jack - thank you for service to Canadians. Rest in Peace.