Local New Democratic Party politicians are grieving over the loss of federal leader Jack Layton, who succumbed to cancer early Monday morning at the age of 61.
"Of course, I am so deeply saddened by the news of Jack's passing today. I've lost not only a political leader but I've lost a friend," said Dawn Black, New Westminster's MLA and two-time MP. "It seems somehow that the rain reflects how I'm feeling."
Black said she first met Layton shortly after she was elected to the House of Commons in 1988, when Layton was on Toronto city council. The two worked closely in 2006 when Black was re-elected and Layton was leading the party.
Black said Layton's rare enthusiasm and positive attitude were assets that will be sorely missed in Canada and the NDP.
"The country has lost such a positive force -a man with such energy, such incredible optimism. When I think about Jack, I think about his optimism," she said. "He would say to us in caucus, 'Don't let them tell you it can't be done. Don't let them tell you it can't be done. It can be done.'"
As for the future of the party, Black said it only needs to look to its roots and Layton's hero, Tommy Douglas, to find its direction again.
"He often quoted Tommy Douglas in all the work he did. The values that Jack espoused were the values of social democracy and the values of the New Democratic Party," she said. "I think the party will continue, but there is only one Jack Layton. There's no question about that."
In a farewell letter to the party and all Canadians, Layton recommended the party hold a leadership race in early 2012.
Fin Donnelly, MP for New Westminster-Coquitlam and Port Moody, said he is both shocked and crestfallen.
"He was an inspiring leader. He was an amazing individual, and I think he is a real Canadian political hero because of what he's done over the last almost-decade as leader of the New Democrats in terms of building an amazing movement from the ground up," Donnelly said.
Donnelly said Layton had a "vision of an inclusive, caring community in Canada."
The two became acquainted when
Layton visited the riding four times during the 2009 byelection after Black stepped down to run provincially.
"I got to know him quite well. We were able to take walks and meet people and businesses and organizations and go to events together enough that I got a sense of who Jack was and how passionate and driven he was," Donnelly said.
"It was pretty incredible. He was a magnet. You couldn't go anywhere without people yelling, 'Hey Jack!'"
Donnelly said the priority for the party right now is to grieve and offer support to Layton's family, but when the next parliamentary session begins on Sept. 19, the NDP will be channelling Layton's fighting spirit in their work.
"I think Jack would want us to continue with fighting the good fight and doing the work of the Official Opposition and staying true and dedicated to making Canada a better place for everybody in Canada," he said. "I'm going to be even more inspired to work hard on his behalf and in his memory."
Burnaby-New Westminster MP Peter Julian also offered a statement of condolence.
"I can only describe what we are all feeling with profound sadness with Jack passing on. It's a difficult time for all Canadians and certainly for New Democrats. I'm thinking of his family, Olivia and his children, and the rest of his family, I know it's very hard for them as well," he said.
"I get some hope from his final words for us in the letter he released when he knew the cancer had won and that he was going to pass away soon. His final words saying 'let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic and we'll change the world' -those are words that are going to continue to motivate us.
"Because our work really is his legacy, and this will leave us to be even more determined to bring about the kind of Canada Jack wanted to see."
Paul Forseth, a former Conservative MP from New Westminster who sat in the House with Layton, said Layton was an admirable man, even though the two didn't agree on policy.
"Jack was a leader, and he engaged in life instead of just observing it. As far as we know, he played by the political rules and fought his battle in the public forum of democracy.
"I think many of his ideas were harmful to Canada, but at least he was not secret about it, and he was willing to inspire people and work hard in the system and was a democrat that accepted the common sense of common people," Forseth said.
"We can sincerely mourn his passing and take the best that he showed us. Ã That's the best way to remember him, take his advice and engage and build a better country."
In his letter to Canadians, Layton also urged others with cancer to stay optimistic about healthier days ahead and to treasure every moment.
He paid tribute to the young and urged them to meet the challenges of the future.
Layton closed with words for all Canadians that are now becoming iconic.
"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," he wrote.
Layton will be given a state funeral on Saturday in Toronto.
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