Posts / August 22, 2011

To Young Canadians

Today we lost a great man, a great politician, and a great Canadian.

Jack Layton passed away after a long battle with cancer on August 22nd, 2011.

But before he left us, he wrote one final note for all Canadians.

The part of his note that really struck me, was his powerful message for all young Canadians:

To young Canadians: All my life I have worked to make things better. Hope and optimism have defined my political career, and I continue to be hopeful and optimistic about Canada. 

Young people have been a great source of inspiration for me. I have met and talked with so many of you about your dreams, your frustrations, and your ideas for change. More and more, you are engaging in politics because you want to change things for the better. Many of you have placed your trust in our party. 

As my time in political life draws to a close I want to share with you my belief in your power to change this country and this world. There are great challenges before you, from the overwhelming nature of climate change to the unfairness of an economy that excludes so many from our collective wealth, and the changes necessary to build a more inclusive and generous Canada. 

I believe in you. Your energy, your vision, your passion for justice are exactly what this country needs today. You need to be at the heart of our economy, our political life, and our plans for the present and the future.” – Jack Layton

We will remember a great man dedicated to making our country, and the world a better place.