All of Canada was consumed and moved by the loss of Jack Layton, leader of the New Democratic Party. Layton, who had become the Leader of the Opposition in parliament after the General Election in May, had been treated for prostate cancer over the last 2 years. He died after a new bout of cancer. He wrote a letter to all Canadians, which was released after his death to remind them of the work which had been started towards a just society and left them with the words:

"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."