“It was with deep sorrow that members of CommunityAIR learned this morning of Jack Layton’s death.

Jack was a steadfast and committed advocate for a clean, green Toronto waterfront. He was a major leader in the fight at City Hall to stop the Island Airport bridge, and he was dismayed at the huge expansion of the Airport that we see today.

Jack always said ‘When I get to 24 Sussex, the first thing I’ll do is shut that airport down’. We knew that, given the power, he would have done just that.

Jack was not only an inspiring leader of the federal New Democratic Party, but a committed community activist on dozens of important Toronto issues.  He was an always-willing volunteer auctioneer at CommunityAIR fundraisers, where he raised thousands for the Island Airport battle, and for the defence of eight CommunityAIR volunteers sued by the Toronto Port Authority.

Jack had so much more to give to our City, and to our country. We’ll all miss him terribly. His leadership and inspiration, though, will serve to double our resolve to finally close the noxious, polluting Island Airport and create a park on the airport lands in his name."

Brian Iler, Chair

CommunityAIR