As a nation, we did good

It began with not entirely unexpected, but shocking nonetheless, news. The Honourable Jack Layton had died. And so began a week in which Canadians coast to coast to coast – without distinction or boundary or disagreement – walked the talk.

It was the week when people from every stripe and bent, colour and creed, religion and spiritual bias, and every other difference that separates us, come together to walk the talk about what we preach it is to be a Canadian. Everything we fight for and against, was included, respected, celebrated and honoured.

We as Canadians often talk about being inclusive, compassionate and caring, but for a few days at the tail end of the lazy days of summer 2011, we actually were. Sure there were a few exceptions, but swiftly and convincingly, those exceptions were muted. This was not the time. And so for a brief moment we as a nation embraced and celebrated the very best of who we claim to be.

Sure, there was the distinct group cringe from many when Stephen Lewis used the word manifesto in his eulogy – it is fair to say that Jack got a well-deserved last laugh on that one - but even those ‘fighting words’ couldn’t dampen the spirit of the moment. Prime ministers and premiers – leaders and the so-called ‘regular folk’ alike – applauded, cried, laughed, mourned and danced. Yes, danced.

As Canadians we can and should be proud: we did a good job of honouring and celebrating someone who - regardless of whether we agreed with his politics - showed us all that being involved in things outside ourselves can and does make a difference.

Of course, life has already moved on. And soon, the business of politics and taking sides will return. But, for a moment in time, we experienced that it is indeed possible to ‘do Canadian’ better than we have in the recent past. May we mark this past week as the one in which the lesson was learned.

We did good.

As a postscript... To all the supporters, friends and family of Jack Layton, please know that so many share Prime Minister Harper’s sentiment - we do hope and pray this week of remembrance and celebration has indeed been a great comfort to you.