'Jack Layton was a breed apart'

Video: Honouring a leader with hope: 

'Jack Layton was a breed apart'

Remembering Jack

As the country prepares for Jack Layton's funeral, many Canadians have pauses to reflect on his contributions. Star National Affairs columnist Tim Harper, who was once a student of Layton's, offers his thoughts. Video by Randy Risling

Date: August 26, 2011 - 02:54 PM

Tags: Jack Layton , funeral , Tim Harper

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Honderich: The evolution of Jack

Published On Tue Aug 23 2011

Former mayor Mel Lastman says that adding Jack Layton to his executive team "was one of the smartest things I did.”

By John HonderichChair of the Board

For the 30 years I knew Jack Layton, perhaps his most beguiling trait was his unpredictable yet inexorable evolution.

This is a politician who never stopped evolving, never stopped pushing the boundaries, never rested on his laurels.

Precious few can say that. And, as a result, we were all witness to the metamorphosis of a radical, shoot-from-the-hip renegade councillor into the rarefied status of folkloric political icon.

Ours was not a traditional relationship. Jack as politician and I as journalist/editor interacted over three decades on a panoply of issues and causes.

We each had a role to play and respected that — be that a private chat, an editorial board meeting or public forum. Yet from this unique perch, I witnessed firsthand his dramatic transformation and tumultuous rise over three decades.       Full Story>>>

Posted by Thavam