Jack Layton

We join Canadians across the country in mourning the death of Jack Layton and extending our condolences to his wife Olivia and their family. His death is the loss of both a champion of progressive policies and a decent and heartfelt form of politics.

Jack Layton was a supporter of quality public services for Canadians and worked with CEIU to preserve them. He backed working people in their efforts to improve their conditions through trade unions and continued the NDP’s long battle to defend and improve universal health care.

Human rights were always a priority and he showed this in a practical way with CEIU. During a Human Rights / Race Relations conference in Halifax, Layton was staying at the same hotel. When National President Jeannette Meunier-McKay ran into him, they talked briefly. Learning that the union was holding its conference, Layton offered to speak to the delegates about human rights. He did, and conference delegates not only appreciated his speech but also his willingness to make time to talk about their shared interest in advancing human rights.

“In so many ways, we will miss Jack Layton,” said National President Jeannette Meunier-McKay, “and our sympathies and support go out to his family.”