Jack Layton: A Powerful Legacy of Hope and Optimism for a Brighter Future

Statement by the United Steelworkers on the Passing of Jack Layton:

TORONTO, Aug. 22, 2011 /CNW/ – The United Steelworkers and our 225,000 members across Canada offer our deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of Jack Layton.

While we mourn the loss of a treasured friend and great Canadian, we are comforted by Jack Layton’s incredible legacy – one of unbridled hope and optimism for a brighter future for our country.

With incomparable leadership and integrity, unwavering enthusiasm and an abiding love for his country, Jack Layton has been a lifelong champion of the values and dreams shared by most Canadians.

Jack’s enduring legacy will be his success in engaging and inspiring so many Canadians, from all walks of life, to embrace his vision that together we can build a more equal society and a better country.

“Together we can do this,” Jack told us repeatedly during the recent federal election campaign. And millions of us agreed.

Jack reawakened Canadians to the reality that government can – and must – play a positive role in ensuring the economic and social wellbeing of its citizens.

We share Jack’s vision for a Canada where life is more fair and affordable for workers, families and pensioners, where government is more open, accountable and democratic, where progressive policies help create good, sustainable jobs and protect the environment, where our immense collective wealth is invested to strengthen our health care, education, transit and other public services that benefit us all.

In his final message to Canadians, in a letter released today, Jack continues to inspire us.

“Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity,” Jack tells us.

“Don’t let them tell you it can’t be done.”

Steelworkers will help lead the way in honouring Jack’s legacy by carrying on his fight to build a better Canada and a better world.

Ken Neumann
National Director for Canada
United Steelworkers

 

 

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