Committee of Progressive Pakistani-Canadians (CPPC)
News Release, August 24, 2011

CPPC Mourns Jack Layton, 1950-2011

Jack Layton, the leader of New Democratic Party of Canada and Leader of the Official Opposition lost his courageous battle to the brutal disease of cancer this week. The Committee of Progressive Pakistani-Canadians (CPPC) mourns with the working people and our democratic compatriots the tragic silencing of one of the most eloquent and strong voices against the increasing inequality in Canada. We offer our heartfelt condolences to Jack Layton’s partner, Olivia Chow, his family and his party.

Jack Layton is remembered by many across political lines for his courage, energy, passion, hopefulness, sense of humour, and compassion. He was firm in his commitment to social justice, to the elimination of poverty and homelessness and to equality of opportunity. He was a champion of peace and a defender of the environmental integrity of the planet.

Jack Layton inspired us Canadians with the vision of a better Canada and a better world. He made possible the emergence of the NDP from its historic position as the third voice, the vehicle through which Canadians could only express their dissatisfaction with the rule of the elite within the parliamentary system, to the stronger position of the Official Opposition with the prospect of forming a social-democratic government.

Many people who had lost hope found hope through Jack Layton. Many young people came to parliamentary politics through him. The message of Layton’s life and his last words to Canadians will remain forever true: the cause is greater than the individual. Layton’s death will enliven with his spirit the cause he lived so passionately.

–Thirty—

The CPPC is a Canada-wide collective of progressive Canadians of Pakistani origin.
For further information, please contact: Omar Latif: omayasim@sympatico.ca