Jack Layton Quotes

#1. I am, as many people are, inspired by Jack Layton's legacy and the way that he approached politics,

Justin Trudeau

#2. I believe that when Paul Martin cancelled affordable housing across this country it produced a dramatic rise in homelessness and deaths due to homelessness and I've always said I hold him responsible for that.

Jack Layton

#3. 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

#4. 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

#5. Cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey.

Jack Layton

#6. I played a lot of squash for a lot of years.

Jack Layton

#7. We want to challenge the established ideas with new ideas.

Jack Layton

#8. Well, I say it's time to take Stephen Harper to the woodshed!

Jack Layton

#9. 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

#10. Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world.

Jack Layton

#11. Don't let them tell you it can't be done.

Jack Layton

#12. Are we allowed to sing? I imagine that at times, it might improve the tone of the debate.

Jack Layton

#13. Politics matters. Ideas matter. Democracy matters, because all of us need to be able to make a difference.

Jack Layton

#14. 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

#15. If I have tried to bring anything to federal politics, it is the idea that hope and optimism should be at their heart.

Jack Layton

#16. When you're sick, you present your medicare card, not your credit card ...

Jack Layton

#17. 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

#18. 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

#19. I don't know why we'd need so many more prisons when the crooks seem so happy in the Senate.

Jack Layton

#20. You can wait forever for perfect conditions or you can make do with what you have.

Jack Layton

#21. 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

#22. 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

#23. Always have a dream that will outlast your lifetime,

Jack Layton

#24. I want to share with you my belief in your power to change this country and this world.

Jack Layton

#25. I believe how I live my life every day is my act of worship.

Jack Layton

#26. 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

#27. 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

#28. Ideas are always more important than money.

Jack Layton

#29. 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

#30. 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

#31. Canadians can get Parliament working again. Here's how to do that: elect more New Democrats.

Jack Layton

#32. 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

#33. 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

#34. 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