Leader of the Opposition in Canada's Federal Parliament, Jack Layton has passed away of prostate cancer at 61. Layton was the head of the NDP (national democratic party) a labor and socialist political party. Although heading some of the provincial governments at various times, the party was normally an also-ran, at the federal level. However in the last federal election a few months ago, Layton's party captured almost all Quebec seats in an NDP wave, completely displacing the Liberals and making it the official opposition to Stephen Harper's now governing majority Conservative party. It seemed like fate's final gift to a kind and honorable politician who had toiled in the public interest for many years, starting off as a Toronto city councilor. He died without the whiff of a single scandal tainting his years in the service of the Canadian under-dog. The unanimous verdict of his fellow politicians was that he never lost his cool even in the most heated circumstances and he never ran away from any political battle. If India were favored by a politician like Jack Layton, the country would have enormously benefited. In another life, Layton could have been a gracious Goan gentleman like the many from East Africa and other places in the Diaspora whose paths I have crossed in my career, travels and adventures. Always kind and always considerate. My own brief brush with him was when I took a cab from Ottawa Central Station to visit my children at University having just travelled by rail from Toronto. Layton who must have also travelled from his home in Toronto for the purpose of attending parliament, asked if he could share the cab since I was alone. Recognizing him, I quickly said yes. In the 10 minutes that it took to reach my destination, we had a very lively conversation. He asked me where I would like to see Canada going. "The direction you intend to take it" I said simply. He insisted that he would pay at his destination, refusing to allow me to reach for my wallet. I along with millions of Canadians will miss this great man. Roland. Toronto. Roland Francis 416-453-3371 [email protected] Keep a sharp wit, an open mind, a caring heart.
