Tributes and memorials to Jack Layton, a year after his death

Your stories
We'll be leaving this page open today for you to leave your thoughts on Jack Layton. What do you think was his legacy for the country? Was he an inspiring force in Canadian politics - or a man who helped create a sharper, polarizing divide in Parliament?

Events across the country
There are many vigils and commemorations planned for today. We'll be including pictures and stories from those events as they happen.
Next up: Toronto celebration at Nathan Phillips Square. The Globe's Tamara Baluja is there.

by Chris Hannay 8/22/2012 3:10:07 PM
@channay Jack Layton did offer hope. Cruelly snuffed out. #Layton

by Rod_McCallum via twitter edited by Chris Hannay 8/22/2012 3:10:12 PM
@channay But that candle has re-ignited. Doesn't lie in any one person. Arguably the lesson of Layton's death is to not rely on politicians.

by Rod_McCallum via twitter 8/22/2012 3:10:16 PM
Jack Layton, we miss you.

by tihemme via twitter 8/22/2012 3:14:15 PM
RIP Jack Layton. You are greatly missed.

by TheRealWatCom via twitter 8/22/2012 3:14:43 PM
Layton Legacy is not politics, but optimism put into action. We're taking a moment to remember our leader & friend, Jack. #DearJack #skpoli

by Sask_NDP via twitter 8/22/2012 3:15:11 PM
"To young Canadians: I believe in you." - Jack Layton #skpoli #cdnpoli #ndp

by ActivistKent via twitter 8/22/2012 3:15:38 PM
Jack Layton is watching this from heaven, and is saying, "Have you people lost your minds?" #ndp #iamanndpmember

by mikelondoncan via twitter 8/22/2012 3:16:23 PM
How awesome: The chalk tribute to Jack Layton is back at Nathan Phillips Square on the anniversary of his death. yfrog.com

by TheChrisMeneses via twitter 8/22/2012 3:17:45 PM
No disrespect to Jack Layton. He was a charismatic person who left too early. Still, he wasn't PM and he wasn't Terry Fox. #overdoingit?

by creativebullpen via twitter 8/22/2012 3:19:05 PM
Some of the events going on today: www.theglobeandmail.com

by Chris Hannay 8/22/2012 3:22:37 PM
Getting tired of the Layton tributes. This is an NDP sponsored bit of newsmaking that does nothing to extend this 'purported' message of hope and etc....to anyone who is not of the same poltical leaning. In fact, I defy anyone to come up with an example of their new leader extending that message to the other parties....It's a crying shame when someone's death is used for poltical gain and it's even more sad that this spectacle is being represented by the media as being indicative of how all Canadians feel.

by Stan L 8/22/2012 3:42:27 PM
How will Thomas Mulcair carry Layton's legacy? Political columnist John Ibbitson weighed in: www.theglobeandmail.com

by Chris Hannay 8/22/2012 3:56:52 PM
Jack gave us optimism, hope and inspiration.

by The Work Farce 8/22/2012 4:02:05 PM
Today I am recalling the shock I felt one year ago when a relative told me the news that Jack Layton had died. Perhaps naively I had expected him to pull through his illness and be back in Parliament in the fall. I like to think I was just being optimistic.

Jack Layton, along with Preston Manning, is the only political leader in modern times who has successfully picked the electoral lock that the Liberal and Conservative parties had on federal politics. My hope, and belief, is that Jack's innovations in federal politics will prove infinitely more beneficial and enduring than Preston's.

by Rod Smelser 8/22/2012 4:02:13 PM
Is there anyone else who thinks that the canonization of Jack Layton is getting out of hand?

by Nickolas Cage 8/22/2012 4:03:23 PM
I took the day off today... Jack was such an inspiration to me and my family. He taught us to never give up and have faith in the poilitical system again. This morning, I cried.... I expect tonight will be the same.

But, today we can hold out heads up high knowing that Jack made a huge impact on Canadian politics.

by Lack Jayton 8/22/2012 4:13:47 PM
He was a politician, not the second coming.... people need to get over it.

by John Rambo, PhD. 8/22/2012 4:13:52 PM
NDP leader Jack Layton pose for a portrait during an interview in his office on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, March 24, 2011. (Dave Chan for the Globe and Mail)

by Dave Lucas 8/22/2012 4:14:30 PM
Much has been made of the seats gained in Quebec. It seems that some people actually believe the voters voted for the NDP, when in fact they merely voted against the Bloc.

by John k 8/22/2012 4:16:26 PM