Langley residents can write down in a condolence book what Jack Layton meant to them

By Matthew Claxton, Langley Advance August 25, 2011

A condolence book for late NDP leader Jack Layton will be at MP Mark Warawa’s office for Langley residents to sign. Photograph by: Matthew Claxton, Langley Advance

A book of condolences in memory of late NDP leader Jack Layton will be in Langley MP Mark Warawa's office starting this week.

Layton died at the age of 61 on Monday. He appeared to have successfully battled a bout of prostate cancer when, shortly after leading his New Democratic Party to huge gains - and Official Opposition status - in the federal general election on May 2 this year, he announced that he had to take a break to fight a new cancer.

Today, Layton's body is lying in state in Ottawa. He is the first Opposition Leader ever to have died in office in Canada.

Although on the opposite side of the aisle from Layton, Conserative Warawa remembered the leader of the opposition as a man with a great sense of humour, incredible energy, and tenacity.

"He leaves a big hole in Canadian poltics," Warawa said.

The book of condolences will be in Warawa's constituency office until it is filled with thoughts, prayers, and memories, the MP said.

It will then be sent to Layton's family.  The office is located at unit 104, 4769 222nd St., behind the Wired Monk coffee shop.                                        

mclaxton@langleyadvance.com