Dear Jack!

OTTAWA – From coast to coast to coast, Canadians are writing Jack Layton to say what he meant to them as the one-year anniversary of his death approaches:

• You stood up for those who did not always have a voice.
• Jack is the reason I became a citizen, I just had to vote for his ideas and idealism
• Jack, you always put a spring in our step and fire in our bellies
• Last summer I was on a camping trip when I heard the news of the return of your cancer. I remember crying my heart out

Hundreds of messages are flooding a “Dear Jack” social media campaign that the Broadbent Institute launched in the lead up to the anniversary on Aug. 22.

“Jack Layton left Canadians with a powerful message --imploring us to embrace our collective future with love, hope, and optimism,” begins the Broadbent Institute message. “Jack wanted to move us to action, to get building a better Canada.

“As we approach the anniversary of his passing, the Dear Jack campaign is an opportunity to write back, renewing our collective commitment to Jack’s dream.

People can go on line at www.dearjack.ca to sign in and post a message as well as read other messages  and enjoy pictures and also some humorous clips from This Hour Has 22 Minutes and a 2011 campaign appearance announcing the weather.

 Nickel Belt MP Claude Gravelle is urging riding constituents to participate either by going to the web site or at the Dear Jack Facebook campaign. (www.facebook.com/dearcherjack)

“It is hard to believe it has been a year since Jack’s passing,” Gravelle said. “Reading what people are saying back to Jack is so inspiring, to see what endures.  Together, we can continue this work..”