politics | Canadian leftist NDP leader Jack Layton, has died of cancer at the age of 61

Canadians pay final respects to Jack Layton in Ottawa

Canadians and MPs are paying their respects to Jack Layton, as his body lies in state on Parliament Hill in Ottawa for two days.

By late Wednesday, more than 1,500 people had filed past the NDP leader's flag-draped coffin in the foyer of the House of Commons — a long lineup still stretching along the drive in front of the Parliament buildings.

The lineup inched along because each person had to go through the security process. People at the back faced a wait of two hours or more, but seemed unconcerned.

Athena Amarandos of Ottawa said Layton had the common touch.

"Jack Layton represented the regular Canadian person and he played an important role in Parliament in bringing government to the ordinary person."

Earlier, Layton made his final journey to Ottawa as the casket carrying his body arrived on Parliament Hill for the lying-in-state visitation.

The casket was accompanied by the NDP leader's wife Olivia Chow, his children and granddaughter, as it made its way to the Commons foyer. Layton's daughter Sarah and son Michael walked behind Chow, and they were followed by other family members.

Layton's casket left the Rosar-Morrison Funeral Home & Chapel on Sherbourne Street around 4 a.m. Wednesday for the journey to Ottawa and arrived in the capital by mid-morning.

The family was the first to visit the casket in the Commons foyer, followed by Members of Parliament and then the general public. MORE

His final words:

Jack Layton's Final Words: Hope Is Better Than Fear

Across Canada, people mourned the death of Jack Layton, 61, leader of the New Democratic Party and by all reports a good and deeply progressive guy. In a final letter to Canadians shortly before his death, he urged the people of his country to become their better selves. The letter:
August 20, 2011
Toronto, Ontario
Dear Friends,
Tens of thousands of Canadians have written to me in recent weeks to wish me well. I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughtful, inspiring and often beautiful notes, cards and gifts. Your spirit and love have lit up my home, my spirit, and my determination.
Unfortunately my treatment has not worked out as I hoped. So I am giving this letter to my partner Olivia to share with you in the circumstance in which I cannot continue.
I recommend that Hull-Aylmer MP Nycole Turmel continue her work as our interim leader until a permanent successor is elected.
I recommend the party hold a leadership vote as early as possible in the New Year, on approximately the same timelines as in 2003, so that our new leader has ample time to reconsolidate our team, renew our party and our program, and move forward towards the next election.
A few additional thoughts:
To other Canadians who are on journeys to defeat cancer and to live their lives, I say this: please don't be discouraged that my own journey hasn't gone as well as I had hoped. You must not lose your own hope. Treatments and therapies have never been better in the face of this disease. You have every reason to be optimistic, determined, and focused on the future. My only other advice is to cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey, as I have done this summer.

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