Dear friends,

I am certain that we all feel the loss of Jack Layton deeply. Jack was a friend of the peace movement, and could be counted upon to find an alternative to war and to stand up for Canadian values of co-operation and diplomacy.

And we all know that as a result of his convictions, he was able to stand his ground in the face of nasty personal attacks from the Conservatives and the pro-war lobby.

I met Jack Layton in 2002 a few months after he arrived in Ottawa as the new leader of the NDP. Over the years, he and his MPs took on many issues – and I am convinced that he and his colleagues kept Canada away from the invasion of Iraq, saved Canada from George W. Bush’s missile defence scheme, and eventually, after a terrible cost in dollars and lives, brought about an end to Canada’s fighting in Afghanistan.

You are invited to share your thoughts on Jack Layton’s accomplishments on Ceasefire.ca.

Leave your comments on Jack Layton’s legacy.