Jack Layton

Image of Jack Layton
Remember our proud history of social justice, universal health care, public pensions and making sure no one is left behind. Let's continue to move forward.
- Jack Layton
Collection: History
Image of Jack Layton
My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world.
- Jack Layton
Collection: Hope
Image of Jack Layton
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.
- Jack Layton
Collection: Hope
Image of Jack Layton
People that go through serious illness - you can either go one way or the other. You can either become despondent about it all. Or it kind of rejuvenates you, makes you focus on what's important.
- Jack Layton
Image of Jack Layton
I played a lot of squash for a lot of years.
- Jack Layton
Image of Jack Layton
A prime minister's job is to make sure the government works for those who have elected him, and not for big corporations.
- Jack Layton
Image of Jack Layton
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.
- Jack Layton
Image of Jack Layton
Canadians can get Parliament working again. Here's how to do that: elect more New Democrats.
- Jack Layton
Image of Jack Layton
The responsibility of a minister is to step aside when there is a criminal investigation of the department. That protects the propriety of Parliament and of responsible government.
- Jack Layton
Image of Jack Layton
Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world.
- Jack Layton
Image of Jack Layton
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.
- Jack Layton
Image of Jack Layton
I'd put it this way: Canadians want politicians to work together on their behalf. So that's what I'm committed to doing. I think it's been the goal of every NDP leader. Because we had a profound belief that we could do a good job on behalf of Canadians... if we were given that opportunity.
- Jack Layton
Image of Jack Layton
We have this historic problem that we have a quarter of our population, the people of Quebec, who have never signed on to the Constitution. That can't go on forever.
- Jack Layton
Image of Jack Layton
Cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey.
- Jack Layton
Collection: Friendship
Image of Jack Layton
Always have a dream that will outlast your lifetime.
- Jack Layton
Collection: Dream
Image of Jack Layton
You can wait forever for perfect conditions or you can make do with what you have.
- Jack Layton
Collection: Perfect
Image of Jack Layton
I don't know why we'd need so many more prisons when the crooks seem so happy in the Senate.
- Jack Layton
Collection: Crooks
Image of Jack Layton
Politics matters. Ideas matter. Democracy matters, because all of us need to be able to make a difference.
- Jack Layton
Collection: Ideas
Image of Jack Layton
Don't let them tell you it can't be done.
- Jack Layton
Collection: Done
Image of Jack Layton
And finally, to all Canadians: 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. We can build a prosperous economy and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world's environment. We can restore our good name in the world.
- Jack Layton
Collection: Senior
Image of Jack Layton
We want to challenge the established ideas with new ideas.
- Jack Layton
Collection: Ideas
Image of Jack Layton
I've always favoured proposition over opposition. But we will oppose the government when it's off track. We'll support positive suggestions that we'll bring forward and support the government when it's making progress.
- Jack Layton
Collection: Government
Image of Jack Layton
When you're sick, you present your medicare card, not your credit card.
- Jack Layton
Collection: Health
Image of Jack Layton
I believe how I live my life every day is my act of worship.
- Jack Layton
Collection: Believe
Image of Jack Layton
So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.
- Jack Layton
Collection: Optimistic
Image of Jack Layton
Free speech is one of our fundamental principles and it's pretty hard to speak freely when people are yelling at you when it's your turn. That would never be allowed in a classroom or in any other kind of meeting.
- Jack Layton
Collection: Yelling
Image of Jack Layton
Ideas are always more important than money.
- Jack Layton
Collection: Ideas
Image of Jack Layton
Are we allowed to sing? I imagine that at times, it might improve the tone of the debate.
- Jack Layton
Collection: Might
Image of Jack Layton
I believe that when Paul Martin cancelled affordable housing across this country it produced a dramatic rise in homelessness and deaths due to homelessness. I've always said I hold him responsible for that.
- Jack Layton
Collection: Country
Image of Jack Layton
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.
- Jack Layton
Collection: Summer
Image of Jack Layton
Well, I say it's time to take Stephen Harper to the woodshed!
- Jack Layton
Collection: Harper
Image of Jack Layton
I want to share with you my belief in your power to change this country and this world.
- Jack Layton
Collection: Country
Image of Jack Layton
I think Paul Martin doesn't mean what he says. He said he would clear this sort of thing up and he didn't do it.
- Jack Layton
Collection: Mean
Image of Jack Layton
If I've tried to bring anything to federal politics, it's the idea that hope and optimism should be at their heart.
- Jack Layton
Collection: Heart
Image of Jack Layton
If it's a flash it's been an awfully long flash. I've been around for 20 years in one of the largest media and political markets in the country, so I'd call it more of a slow burn.
- Jack Layton
Collection: Country
Image of Jack Layton
Some people think the NDP may want to get rid of the monarchy but I can assure you that that's absolutely not the case. My Dad was a big time monarchist and so am I.
- Jack Layton
Collection: Dad