Like all Canadians, CUPE BC and its members were deeply saddened by the news this morning that federal NDP leader Jack Layton had lost his final battle with cancer and has passed away at age 61.
For working people everywhere, Jack was truly like a member of the family. Throughout his public life—from his time as a Toronto city councilor to his ultimate achievement, this past spring, of leading the NDP to Official Opposition status in the House of Commons—Jack identified with the hopes and dreams of average people and always stood up for what’s right.
We join all Canadians in mourning his loss and paying tribute to his legacy. On behalf of secretary-treasurer Mark Hancock, the CUPE BC executive, and the 85,000 CUPE members in B.C., I would like to extend deepest condolences to Jack’s life partner, Olivia Chow, his children Sarah and Michael, and the entire Layton family. Your tremendous loss is shared by all of us.
Barry O’Neill
CUPE BC President