Local politicians are offering condolences following the death of New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton. The 61-year-old passed away Monday morning in his Toronto home, a month after he stepped down as leader to fight a second bout of cancer.
"Really our thoughts are with the family because that's who's suffering most," said Burnaby-Douglas MP Kennedy Stewart, who also recently lost a family member to cancer. Stewart characterized Layton as a team-builder, an academic and an inspiration to become active in politics.
"He was a very warm person," Stewart said. "It was never his way or the highway. ... Everybody was treated with the same level of respect. Those are hard things to replace."
Burnaby Coun. Sav Dhaliwal said Jack Layton's death is not just a loss to the NDP, but to the entire country. Canadians, regardless of their politics, have been touched by his passion and hard work, he said.
"I can see everyone nodding their heads for his vision of a caring Canada," Dhaliwal said. "Unfortunately, he didn't get to see that vision to fruition."
Dhaliwal, a member of the Burnaby Citizens' Association and the B.C. NDP, also extended his condolences to Layton's partner Olivia Chow and his family.
"I'm sorry to see this has happened at the age of 61 - such a young age," he said.
But Layton's work to bring social and economic justice to the forefront of Canadian politics will not be forgotten, Dhaliwal said.
"A government is only as strong as it's opposition," he said, adding that Layton was dedicated to bringing these issues to Parliament.
Dhaliwal said that he hopes someone who can continue this legacy will step up to lead the party.
Stewart wasn't sure what's next for the NDP.
"We're just digesting this now. We don't really know what's happening next. We'll probably get called back to Ottawa," he said.
Nycole Turmel is the party's interim leader. The next House of Commons session is scheduled for the third week of September, and the NDP has a caucus retreat the week prior.
