And while you can't argue with Linda McQuaig's point that it was perhaps Prime Minister Harpers most generous political act. (Though in her observations she manages to avoid the treacherous waters of commentary tread by the National Post's Christie Blatchford the fall out from which as reviewed by the Post earlier in the week.)
Considering and perhaps even despite the political theme of the celebration of life that it was, he still made the right call, sensing the impact that the passing of the leader of the Opposition held across the nation, a mark in his favour in the ongoing debate over civility in political life in Canada.
In short, by his actions of providing for the State Funeral, the Prime Minister provides hope that the call from Layton for civility in politics was heard, its hard to believe (as some political pundits suggest) that there will be a political punishment for that hand across the aisle.
From the procession of Toronto folk that accompanied his casket to Roy Thomson Hall, through the fond remembrances of friends and allies and into the very political address from NDP icon Stephen Lewis, politics seemed to course through the event.
And while much has been made of Mr. Lewis' oratorical tribute to Jack Layton and the Social Democratic manifesto he left behind in his passing, it was the remembrances of his children Michael and Sarah as well as the final eulogy from Reverend Hawkes, that stood out the most.
In particular, what we remember the most from Saturday's service, were the personal asides about a leader that many Canadians claimed as their own, shared by the children who clearly hope to carry his torch into the future.
Where the NDP will go into the future very well may be the topic of the day and indeed that was addressed in the service on Saturday, but the theme of politics while prevalent in Saturday's celebration still rightly takes a back seat to the real feeling of loss shared on the weekend.
And while Canadians seemed in agreement that a great Canadian political leader has left the stage, even more we understand the personal loss, to his wife Olivia and his children and grandchild (with another on the way), political campaigns come and go, but family is always in the end the key to Canadian life, far beyond the glare of the political spotlight.
Much has been made of the foundation that Jack Layton has laid for the NDP and its aspirations for the future, but from the words of his own children, we realize that a more important foundation was put in place in his own home.
That in the end, in the space of time may prove to be the NDP leaders long time and most lasting of legacies, a job seemingly done very well given the poise and heartfelt remembrances of Saturday.
With the celebration of life concluded, we found the following of interest in the days leading up to and following the moment of pause to reflect on Mr. Layton's life and times.
Globe and Mail-- Jack Layton's legacy and our yearning for political civility
Globe and Mail-- Why Did Jack Layton's final act rivet us so? It followed a classic arc
Globe and Mail-- Jack Layton's Canada and the other Canada
Globe and Mail-- Jack Layton secures his place in NDP - and Canadian- pantheon
Globe and Mail-- Final tribute to Jack Layton celebrates his message of hope, optimism
Globe and Mail-- Why Layton stands apart from most politicians
Globe and Mail-- Jack Layton: You don't know what you've got till it's gone
Globe and Mail-- Layton's death shows Canada's hunger for politicians who inspire
Toronto Star-- "It's been an extraordinary week': Layton brought Canada together
Toronto Star-- A gathering of the clan for one taken too young
Toronto Star-- Layton's legacy may be bridging the two solitudes
Toronto Star-- Remembering what Jack stood for
Toronto Star-- Layton wanted funeral to be a celebration of his life. And it was
National Post-- Layton's funeral was fitting for a man of the people
National Post-- Layton turns into a legend
National Post-- Jack Layton did exactly what he said he would
National Post-- How can the NDP replace the unrepeatable?
Toronto Sun-- Jack Layton, without tears
Toronto Sun-- A city mourns Jack Layton
Toronto Sun-- Democracy has suffered a terrible loss
Photo atop this post from the Globe and Mail website.
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