The Sweetest Goodbye

Over 6,000 people came to pay respects to Layton's flag-draped casket before his state funeral in Toronto.

It’s a sad, sad day for Canada as thousands of people gather in Toronto for Jack Layton’s state funeral at Roy Thomson Hall. Notable politicians and Canadian leaders are expected to attend the ceremony including Harper, Governor General David Johnston, Bob Rae, Jean Chrétien, Alexa McDonough and Ed Broadbent as well as 600 members of the public who started lining up early Friday afternoon for a chance to get a seat. Stephen Lewis and Layton’s children are expected to deliver eulogies followed by musical performances by Parachute Club, Martin Deschamps, and Steven Page. As co-operative, united Canadians of all stripes gather to share in their grief and in their hope, we can only imagine Layton would’ve loved it.