標題: A nation bids farewell to Jack Layton [打印本頁] 作者: tiffiant 時間: 2011-8-27 07:31 標題: A nation bids farewell to Jack Layton
A nation bids farewell to Jack Layton
Former NDP Leader died on Monday
News1130 Staff Aug 27, 2011 07:49:54 AM
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TORONTO, ON. (NEWS1130) - The nation will say good-bye today to former NDP Leader Jack Layton at a state funeral in Toronto today. More than 2,000 people, most of whom are invited guests, will fill Roy Thomson Hall for the service.
Four giant video screens have also been set up behind the hall to accommodate the expected overflow crowd. Many people spent the night outside the hall in hopes of winning a coveted wristband to get inside to watch the ceremony.
Layton's casket will be brought from City Hall by a procession through the downtown, led by horse-mounted police and followed by pipe and drum bands and an honour guard.
State funerals
A state funeral is somewhat of a rare occurrence in Canada considering there have only been 34 over the last couple of centuries. By definition, they are public funerals organized by the government and usually include a lying-in-state, a procession and military honours.
Normally, state funerals are for current and former prime ministers, current cabinet ministers and governors-general, but Prime Minister Stephen Harper offered one to Layton's family out of respect.
The only other person to receive a federal state funeral who didn't fit that bill was MP Thomas D'Arcy McGee, who was given the first Canadian state funeral in 1868 after he was assassinated.
Funeral attendees
Among the speakers at today's ceremony will be Layton's children, Mike and Sarah, as well as Stephen Lewis, a former leader of the Ontario NDP.
And among those performing at the service will be Lorraine Segato of the 1980s group Parachute Club. She'll sing the band's hit 'Rise Up,' which was one of Layton's favourite songs.
Layton's state funeral will be carried live on Citytv and streamed live on News1130.com. It'll also be shown on the outdoor video screens at Canada Place starting at 10 a.m.
Jack Layton died on Monday after a long battle with cancer. He was 61.作者: tiffiant 時間: 2011-8-27 07:32
