Jack Layton memorial at Vancouver Art Gallery

Jack Layton was the leader of the New Democratic Party, Canada's Official Opposition party. He died on August 22, 2011 from cancer. He was 61. A public memorial was held on the same day, at the Vancouver Art Gallery / Robson Square. The crowd gathered to remember a likeable politician, as paradoxical as it sounds.

An explanation about the orange pop for those not familiar with Canadian politics. The NDP is Canada's left wing party, and as little as 10 years ago had little influence, with just over a dozen seats in parliament. Under Jack Layton's leadership, it steadily gained ground until the 2011 elections, when the NDP stunned the nation by winning 103 seats and becoming the Official Opposition party. That election was dubbed the "Orange Crush", with NDP's official color being orange. Jack Layton died three months after that historical achievement by his party. Jack Layton will have a rare state funeral (first for an opposition leader) on Saturday, August 27 in downtown Toronto at Roy Thomson Hall.