M.J. Baranowski
Dear editor,
While I was growing up in Emo and not old enough to vote, my parents were devoted to the CCF party but when becoming of age to vote, I listened on the radio to all the parties’ promises on the oncoming election, and as the Liberals had more to offer, that is where I cast my vote.
We had the Reid brothers, John and Pat, Members of Parliament from Fort Frances that made voting for the Liberals that much easier. I stayed with that party until Tommy Douglas came into the political picture and it was him that brought all Canadians the best present in the health program.
With the Liberals and Conservatives see-sawing back and forth as Prime Minister and their Opposition, I decided to vote for the NDP Party.
Another Member of Parliament from Fort Frances was Howard Hampton and with him I truly believed that someday the NDP could be the Opposition Party to either the Liberals or the Conservatives, but that never happened until Jack Layton became the leader of the NDP Party.
With his dedication, hard work and continuous effort to make Canada a better country to live in and despite his encounter with a health disability, he managed to bring the NDP Party as the Opposition Party to the Conservatives.
If he had not received the second misfortune, he could have brought the Party further and, who knows, maybe become Prime Minister.
With his passing away he carried his dedication towards the NDP Party right up to his last moment on earth. This has to be carried on by their new leader, and it will be difficult to fill Jack’s shoes but I believe that the NDP will continue as the Opposition Party and could possibly receive more votes in the next election.
When Howard Hampton was interviewed on Jack Layton, he mentioned that he would get phone calls, even in the middle of the night, for his opinion on certain matters which only tell you that Jack did not take a break in his efforts to give Canadians a better country.
The only thing that turned us from leaving the NDP Party was his involvement with the Liberals and Quebecois in forming a coalition government, but when he went on his own, we remained loyal to his party.
Jack was what the NDP Party needed and it was a shame that he could not carry on his devotion and dedication for all Canadians.
The people of Canada should honor this great Canadian for his accomplishment in a very short time.
Our thoughts will always be for a very great Canadian leader.
Signed, M.J. Baranowski
