Remembering Jack Layton at Nathan Philips Square 

What began Monday afternoon with a single piece of orange chalk quickly turned into a large-scale memorial for Jack Layton.

Marna Nightingale wrote the inaugural message on the concrete surface of a raised walkway in Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square.

It was a quote taken from Layton’s letter to Canadians: “Love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.” She wrote it in neat, block letters as people who had gathered for a vigil looked on.

By Tuesday afternoon, the wall had become the place in Toronto to gather in remembrance and leave a message. Someone even left a bucket full of sidewalk chalk marked “Chalk 4 Jack” to provide a steady supply. (CBC) 

*His body will be brought back to Toronto on Thursday, where a viewing will be held at City Hall on Friday and Saturday. Complete dates and times can be found by clicking here. (Article)

More articles and pictures: Toronto Sun / The Globe and Mail / CityTV / The Star Photo Gallery. Photography by: Jackman Chiu