The unveiling of the Jack Layton statue with his widow, MP Olivia Chow
This morning it was a celebration of the former NDP leader Jack Layton on the 2 year anniversary of his death after his bout with cancer.
To honour his memory, a bronze statue was unveiled with Jack Layton riding a tandem bicycle in the back seat allowing people to sit on the front seat and pose for photos. The statue is called “Jack’s Got Your Back”. The incredible part is that the sculpture was made in part by his widow, MP Olivia Chow. There was much media fanfare and also hundreds of general public in attendance (estimated at over 500 people). There were speeches made and celebrations including a musical adaptation of his last letter to Canada entitled “Dear Friends”.
Also, the Toronto Island Ferry Terminal is now called the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. Mayor Rob Ford was also in attendance.
A video of the new Jack Layton Memorial, to be unveiled aug 22 11:45 am at Ferry Dock http://t.co/czsni5SaXO @RandyRisling Thank you.
— Olivia Chow (@oliviachow) August 20, 2013
"Dear Friends", taken from Jack Layton's last letter to Canadians – @ the new #JackLayton Ferry Terminal pic.twitter.com/CIfi4BCTAT
— The Waterfront BIA (@WaterfrontBIA) August 22, 2013
Jack Layton statue "Toronto’s way of saying thank you," Mayor Rob Ford says. http://t.co/PMjkqdLquA #topoli
— Toronto Sun (@TheTorontoSun) August 22, 2013
Thinking of #JackLayton on second anniversary of his sad passing. A statue will be unveiled today in his honour: http://t.co/Pv4TPy3LNL #RIP
— jian ghomeshi (@jianghomeshi) August 22, 2013
Jack Layton's letter to Canadians: http://t.co/qK3n6BH #cdnpoli #ndp
— Jack Layton (@jacklayton) August 22, 2011
Was honoured to take part in my friend Jack Layton's statue unveiling today:pic.twitter.com/inJiLZAprx #Toronto #topoli
— Mayor Rob Ford (@TOMayorFord) August 22, 2013
Check out the video from the Toronto Star about the making of the statue.
http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2013/08/19/jack_layton_memorial_comes_to_life.html
