My encounter with Jack Layton

This was at a CUPW support rally at Library Square in Vancouver only two short days after the hockey riot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylgSvAFvilU

Like most Canadians, I'm shocked and saddened by the news, and wish him a speedy recovery.

Layton is the best thing

Layton is the best thing that happened to the NDP in a while or even arguably since Tommy Douglas. They are where they are largely because of him. I hope and would think the NDP could hold it together without him. Sure they have a lot of rookies but also many veterans...

Huh? #2

I am a little bit puzzled and annoyed with all this whining and complaining about 'he/she is not experienced' 'he/she is a rookie' And? What's the point of this?

I think it is great that we give a chance to the younger generation, to women and to those with less experience in politics. No one starts with experience. And as one can see even the epxerienced politicians make huge and irrevocable mistakes where the whole generation or even the nation suffers the consequences.

Perhaps this new person can be viewed as someone less corrupt, someone with fresh, new ideas or whatever.
Anyone who has been in politics for decades is either corrupt or just loves to serve the people who elected him. In Jack Layton's case he is a politician who works for the people - hence the reason his popularity. A rare breed indeed these days.

Let's not jump into conclusions!

I really wish journalist and the media would stop speculating and predicting the future. A journalist's job is to report the news impartially and and without speculations. News media in North America should really learn that.
I'm tired of all these 'ideas' that the media is trying to put into the public's mind.

I agree with G West - if a party can't survive without Jack then they aren't ready for leading a country.
Time will tell and until then people should keep supporting the party that works for them!

I'm with G West on this one.

A party is much bigger than one person. I do wish Jack a speedy recovery. In the political world there are always people who when asked or compelled to step into the breech, will show leadership. All this doomsday stuff is a bit over the top.

It's coalition time

It's time to balance the political landscape in Canada. Harper has successfully divided the center and left votes which gave him a majority government without getting the majority of votes. The majority of voters in Canada do not support Harper's far right wing agenda so a change is needed. It's time for the federal Liberals and NDP to merge into one party just like as the Conservatives have done. Harper formed a coalition of the Reform party and the defeated Conservatives so it's time to align the voters on the other side of the spectrum. Then and only then will we elect a true majority government.

Good luck Jack. You've been a bright light and an inspiration to true Canadians.

Never mind about the

Never mind about the politics, Jack is a human being first and foremost and has to be considered as such, not as a politician.

Unfortunately, prostrate cancer is one thing, but the reason they didn't want to come out into the open with the facts could be pure PR to get people used to the idea that, only by looking at his pictures, this is far more serious, giving people time to absorb the bad news.

I only hope it isn't pancreas, from the speed it got him down.

Best wishes to him and all the hope that he'll beat whatever it is.

Ed Deak.

Best wishes to Jack and his wife

I heard Libby on CBC yesterday and she supports Jack's recommendation to have Ms. Turmel as interim leader.

Jack's recommendation may indeed have something to do with the possibility that the federal NDP may have to select another leader however after hearing Brian Topp, NDP President, speak about Ms. Turmel we may be surprised by her ability. Topp and other party executives support Layton's recommendation.

This will definitely get Harper's backroom boys wondering who they will have to deal with during question period and debates.

Topp also suggested that the NDP are set to challenge Harper's 1950's response to the ever shrinking crime rate in Canada (build more prisons) when Parliament resumes in September.

Given what I have read about Turmel's experience I think supporters of the NDP and those who despise Harper and Co. are going to enjoy Ms. Turmel's fighting spirit.

Tieleman should have provided readers with more on her accomplishments and background, which are remarkable, before casting the first stone.

Best wishes to Jack and his family and to all those fighting cancer.

PS

Since Quebec no longer has a "leader" of a political party in the House and since the majority of the NDP caucus comes from Quebec ridings (58) it is a wise move.

Vive le Canada libre.

Get well Jack.

There is something wrong if a party has to rely on the charisma of its leader to survive!

A political party is supposed to be about policies, not personalities!

But in the interest of the 85% of the voters who have no opinions of their own, we do need people like Jack to give them something to focus on.

"A party is much bigger than one person"

Or it SHOULD BE. However, it is also readily apparent that the electoral popularity of the federal NDP is based to a great degree on Layton's charisma. So much so that the party brain-trust revamped the party image for the 2011 election as "Jack Layton's NDP". That charisma did not magically develop overnight, but was a long term growth, sprinkled liberally with mistakes and lessons learned. The NDP has at least 2 years to find a new leader and 2 years after that, to develop their image.
One look at Layton at his presser last evening no one except a blindly naive dreamer could expect him to come back.

Not the end

Jack Layton is not the NDP he is the current leader of the federal party. I am very sorry indeed to hear that his battle with cancer is not over but there are other very capable people who can and will move the party forward and hopefully to the left.

Puzzling?!!

I don't think his choice as interim leader is puzzling at all. He's in denial about his medical condition, and he doesn't want anyone filling in who might be a challenger to his leadership. [OFFENSIVE COMMENT REMOVED.]

“I’m going to fight this cancer now, so I can be back to fight for families when Parliament resumes,”

Even when his life is at stake, he can't turn off the BS.

Sooke

People like you are a rare breed. Nasty and odious to say the least.

How do you know he is in denial of his medical condition? Did you talk to him? Or are you guessing based on some videos. Which to me looked like the guy wanted to make sure the woman in front of him won't jab him in the nose with her elbow.

Regardless, if he is egomaniac and media whore I wonder what title should we give to Harper and the rest of the hidious politicians who don't even come close to Jack Layton when it comes to serving the public.

At least Layton has integrity and common sense. Something most politicians in this country lack.

OhCanada makes some interesting points.

eg:
"I think it is great that we give a chance to the younger generation, to women and to those with less experience in politics. "
Sure, Nycole is only 68 and only been there a couple of months. Let's see her in action.

then:
"A journalist's job is to report the news impartially and and without speculations. News media in North America should really learn that.
I'm tired of all these 'ideas' that the media is trying to put into the public's mind. "

Absolutely! Make a note of that.

Don't you just love Conductor274 suggesting, less than one day after Jack announces that he has to take some sick leave, that the NDP fold its tent. Don't you even want to give Jack a few weeks?

Realisticman

She's 68? Damn, she looks good! Let's see how long it takes for the media to start commenting on her shoes, her weight, oh yeah.. her age..

Tragic.

Jack Layton is the best leader in the House of commons right now. He is trustworthy and speaks plainly and strongly. I hope he is able to come back soon. Canada needs Jack.

I suspect

I suspect that it matters little who was named as interim leader of the NDP. The simple fact that Mr. Layton did not identify the new type of cancer he is afflicted with combined with the rapid decline in his outward appearance leads me to believe that he has been given the worst news possible, which is that his days are numbered. I also suspect that his news conference yesterday will be his last while he still had the strength to do so.

The Power Shift, moving back East

This from May, which is now a long time ago:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/lysiane-gagnon/quebeckers-have-a-mental-bloc/article2021790/

http://www.quebecsolidaire.net/actualite-nationale/nycole-turmel-appuie-quebec-solidaire

Le Bloc, le sequel:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qubec_solidaire

One more example that demonstrates that speaking both English and French is essential in this country.

As Bill says,

"But the party passing over both deputy NDP leaders -- Vancouver's Libby Davies and Montreal's Thomas Mulcair -- would be astonishing."

But that is what has just happened!

I love the way she says "'arper".

Bill Tieleman - replies to posts

Thanks for the comments as always but I obviously disagree on several points.

First, I am deeply distressed with Jack Layton's cancer recurrence. I have known and liked Jack for over 25 years - he is a great guy and has done a remarkable job.

Of course I believe we all must first be concerned with his health and recovery.

But as a polical columnist and commentator I can't ignore the important issues Jack's illness raises for the NDP now and in the future.

I have nothing against Nycole Turmel at all - I noted her considerable experience at PSAC in the column.

But I stand by my original position - to have an MP with less than a month's time in Parliament become acting Opposition Leader for what may be an indefinite time when there are dozens of veteran MPs in caucus and 2 deputy leaders is very strange at least.

Ms. Turmel has now been endorsed by the caucus and NDP Federal Council - http://bit.ly/pNMW2W - so I wish her well.

As to the future of the party - yes GWest, without Jack Layton it is in the balance.

Of course a party is more than the leader but the leader is essential - different NDP leaders have had different results - from a low of 9 seats to today's high of 103 MPS.

Make no Mistake.

We all wish Jack well.

We also thank him for selecting Nycole, such candor is rare. Union leader, independentiste sympathizer, and rookie female MP all in one. Her lack of understanding of the English language also makes her come across as a foreigner. A slam dunk. We all look forward to her stepping in for Jack and speaking along with Adrian in the coming campaign.

Realisticman

I don't believe you.

I don't believe you do wish Jack well, just like Pee Wee, you've been nothing but personally critical and snide about Jack Layton and the NDP at every opportunity and this is no exception. Furthermore, your attitude toward Ms Turmel, who is obviously simply an interim replacement until Layton either returns or bows out permanently, is nothing short of sexist, racist AND, in the Canadian context, bizarre.

Ms Turmel was born here - unlike some other people I think I'd be justified in referring to as a 'foreigner'.

Layton does speak with frankness and candor - not something I can say about my interlocutor.

Revealing one's Limitations of Comprehension

If the poster above seriously believes that this poster wishes anyone; I mean anyone! pain and suffering or worse - and this to someone that, although I did meet his father in celebratory surroundings but have never met him, and this man has given and exposed his life in public service in what he believes is the best course to pursue and this has been a defining motivation in his life almost certainly without greed or avarice and, although at odds from a philosophical perspective with many including this writer, in pursuit and in keeping with the democracy that we as a free people enjoy in Canada, then this poster above supposes a wish of ill will. He, the poster above, is either; seriously delusional or simply striving, as per usual to all and sundry that do not subscribe to his rigid and unchallengeable dicta, to be repugnant and bait. His sadness at his lot he perceives he beholds within the universe he finds himself deserves pity and consideration but like many afflictions, it is only he that can help himself.

Nyquil Turmoil is unlikely to keep the home fires burning, so expect more sadness.

You don't wish someone well ...

Honest people don't wish someone well when it turns out they're suffering from a potentially fatal illness if, prior to that, you've used every opportunity available to disrespect and joke about Jack Layton - not only as a politician - but as a human being.

I'm not the only one who has noticed this - I take it you won't be so hypocritical to deny the evidence because there's lots of it around - right here at Tyee.

You are virtually the only poster here who, in a veritable paroxysm of Schadenfreude, jumped all over Jack Layton over the massage parlor incident. You did it last not more than a few days ago with the inclusion of the words ‘Velvet Touch’ in one of your vitriol laced posts.

And you’ve done it more than once - to pretend now that you wish him well is repugnant and phony.

Oh, and you're doing it again, the casual sexism I mean, with your little pun on Mme. Turmel's name.

NDP Interim Leader Turmel

Saw her on Global National News earlier this week.

What was Jack thinkin'?

Turmel has the same mannerisms and command of the English language as Stephane Dion!

As with Dion, Turmel ain't gonna fly in Ontario or here out West.

The Union Bosses

Jack knows what he's doing. Question is, will Turmel be happy with a chief of staff from Alberta. Does the present Chief, Ireland born Anne McGrath, speak French? There's lots of work to do before Parliament opens and Turmel can't be struggling with staff that she can hardly communicate with. It's also tiring to work in another language all day long.

McGrath ran for the Communist Party in '84 and, like Nycol, worked for a union (CUPE).

Ummm - That's Nycole Turmel

It's Nycole Turmel ...please make a note of it.

Also note, this is a bilingual country - it happens to be, unlike Great Britain, many of whose sons can no longer even handle English without help, Canadians - especially ones in Politics - ought to be able to handle communications in both English and French.

The crocodile tears for Layton and phony concerns about the 'regime' of an interim leader penned by the Katenjammer kids, Lukie and the the r/man, are both unsurprising and unconvincing. "Mit Dose Kids, Society Is Nix!"

As for the latest ad hominem drive by of another person whose politics you don't agree with - why would I expect anything else from you two?

Anne McGrath has been with Layton for quite some time - I'm sure she'll be able to show Nycole the ropes...Perhaps you've forgotten she also served as Party President for a time and consistently places highly in The Hill Times poll of top staffers in Ottawa.

Of course, relying upon Wikipedia for your information is always a hit and miss exercise.

I'd be far more concerned about Stephen Harper's belief (expressed more recently - 1992 - than Ms McGrath's exercise in futility in an Edmonton riding in 1984) that a certain Canadian academic "(Susan Crean)...should not have been allowed to write that book."

Now THAT, is difficult to live down.