On Jack Layton's passing - Dana Larsen

I joined the NDP largely because of Jack Layton. He was an inspiring leader and I admired his integrity and passion for a better Canada.

When he became leader in 2003 one of his first acts was to come on Pot-TV and do an interview with my friend Marc Emery. In this interview, like always, Jack spoke from the heart and took a political stand based on principle over expedience.

In the eight years since then I was honoured to meet and speak with Jack Layton on a few different occasions. Despite the problems around my federal candidacy in the 2008 election, Jack always treated me with camaraderie and respect.

I believe that Jack Layton was a political leader who changed our country for the better. It is a great loss for Canada that he died before becoming Prime Minister. I hope that his vision, integrity and common sense approach will continue to inspire people across our nation, and that his legacy will live on in the years to come.

-Dana Larsen