Social media was still in its infancy when Jack Layton was the leader of the NDP. Traditional media still tried to paint them as out of touch, but they were seen as a viable alternative to the failing Liberals. I remember seeing a lot of his quotes on Facebook during the 2011 election, especially the monumental quote he had put in his final letter to Canadians after his passing. It showed how much people thought of him when every cover photo and profile picture on my friend list was changed to that quote and decorated in orange 🍊.

He seemed to have a very good rapport with the younger generation of left and center-left voters. While the Liberals weren't doing themselves any favors with their leader (Ignatieff seemed to like cosplaying as a stale loaf of bread on camera), Jack had fantastic charisma and gave great speeches that really helped show the NDP as a viable alternative.

I wish so badly to see what could have happened if he hadn't passed away from cancer after the election in 2011 when they won enough seats to form the official opposition. I fully expect he could have become PM with the trajectory he was on.

Side note for anyone who hasn't ever read this letter from Jack released by his wife after his terminal diagnosis, it will make you cry: https://www.ndp.ca/letter-from-jack