“My friends,” he wrote, “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.”
His final words embody all the reasons I respected this man.
With his death, Canada has lost a fierce advocate of all that has made us great - our compassion, our desire for fairness, and our decency. It is a Canada that is being bullied out of existence by recent political processes and policies but in his person and with his passion, he made this Canada possible again. He made me believe that we could recapture our ideals and our soul and make Canada a leader on the world stage again.
It was devastating to learn of his death this morning. Even though he looked so ill when he took his temporary leave from leadership, I was optimistic that he would return in the fall. After his amazing campaign and the historic NDP victory, it seemed wrong to imagine that Jack wouldn't be around to enjoy being the leader of the official opposition.
I am thankful to his family for sharing him, especially over this past year. Despite his illness, he lived his life fully and in that is a lesson for me and maybe for us all.
Optimism may be better than despair but today I will mourn the passing of a great Canadian.
Thank you Jack and we will miss you.
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