Jack Layton Quotes

21 Sourced Quotes

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
We have not made these choices lightly, Our decision was made in the full seriousness and clear knowledge of what is at stake.

Jack Layton
Spring is here my friends and a new chapter begins.

Jack Layton
Politics matters. Ideas matter. Democracy matters.

Jack Layton
If I've tried to bring anything to federal politics, it's the idea that hope and optimism should be at their heart; we can look after each other better than we do today.

Jack Layton
I ask you to join me in saying that enough is enough with Liberal arrogance and scandals and enough to the vote-buying promises of the Conservatives. There's a better choice, a third option, the NDP

Jack Layton
Layton: After all these years of inaction, will the Prime Minister finally get something done and do something the former government would not do and that is to cancel the subsidies to big oil and big ass—I mean big gas and start putting—
Stephen Harper: Mr. Speaker, I promise to get to the bottom of it.

Jack Layton
I remember a Stephen Harper once upon a time... You've become what you used to oppose... Mr. Harper, what happened to you? What changed?

Jack Layton
Why has he closed the door on Canada Post? Here's a guy who says he was a terrific manager of the economy and all things economic yet he's shut down our postal service. It's certainly the wrong thing to do and it sends a very bad signal out to the working people that tromp up and down our sidewalks and deliver our mail … that he doesn't really respect the bargaining process.

Jack Layton
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
This gorgeous Chinese girl gets up and I fell in love instantly.

Jack Layton
It's a privilege and it's an honour and Olivia and I are certainly looking forward to visiting this beautiful, historic building and being able to stay there during the session when we're here in Ottawa.

Jack Layton
This is a budget that does not protect the vulnerable, it doesn't protect the jobs of today and it doesn't create the jobs that we need for tomorrow.

Jack Layton
This debate is coming down essentially to two visions — Mr. Harper's vision for Canada and my vision for Canada, and to a decision to be made by people disappointed by Mr. (Stephane) Dion

Jack Layton
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
He's put a lock on the door of the House of Commons and he refuses to face the people of Canada through their elected representatives

Jack Layton
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
(The lockout) makes no sense unless you put it in the context of a wider strategy, which is to somehow weaken Canadians' commitment to Canada Post so that ultimately, when the government gets out there to privatize it, they think they can get the public on their side

Jack Layton
We want to challenge the established ideas with new ideas.

Jack Layton
Most Canadians, if they don't show up for work, they don't get a promotion. … You missed 70 per cent of the votes.

Jack Layton
That's been a hashtag fail." And on the temptations stemming from a life of crime: "With the bling and everything that comes with it."

Jack Layton