Jack Layton is no stranger to the Capital Region.
So it didnB次元官网网址檛 surprise Victoria MP Denise Savoie when a flood of best wishes and messages of support for the federal NDP leader inundated her constituency office Monday.
Layton, 61, recently fought off prostate cancer, but announced Monday heB次元官网网址檒l temporarily step aside as party leader to battle an undisclosed form of cancer.
B次元官网网址淚t was very moving to feel that support,B次元官网网址� Savoie said, describing Layton as an inspiration, both as a politician and a person. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e always admired his determination and his optimism and his courage. Those are qualities that heB次元官网网址檚 always had and continues to have, as we saw during his press conference.B次元官网网址�
She credits him for getting her into federal politics, but the pair have known each other for a decade, since the days when Savoie was a Victoria city councillor and Layton was president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
B次元官网网址淗e has totally been an advocate and continues to be an advocate for Canadians. He really is mindful of what regular Canadians face in their lives,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淓ven now, his goal is to fight this so he can come back and fight for Canadians. I guess thatB次元官网网址檚 why he inspired me to jump in to federal politics.B次元官网网址�
The hard work Layton demonstrated in building the party to official Opposition status will continue to be reflected even without his presence, Savoie said, given that the NDP caucus is devoted to achieving his goals.
B次元官网网址淚 think parties are defined by how they deal with the toughest times. Without Jack, weB次元官网网址檙e certainly B次元官网网址� for a few months anyway B次元官网网址� going to really rally together and continue that momentum.B次元官网网址�
Savoie pointed to a message she read on Twitter that sums up the type of person Layton is.
B次元官网网址淪omebody should warn cancer that Jack Layton is coming after it,B次元官网网址� she said, recalling the tweet. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 reflective of the kind of fighter he is. HeB次元官网网址檚 got all the right qualities to win this battle.B次元官网网址�
To send Layton a message of support, visit www.ndp.ca/get-well-jack.
kslavin@saanichnews.com
