Jack Layton

[oldtimer]

All of Canada is mourning the loss of a very dynamic politician due to cancer. I do not in any way support the NDP party and would never vote NDP but Jack Layton was in a class by himself and deserves a lasting tribute. I would like to suggest that we honour this great man by naming an international airport after him. Most major airports in Ontario and Quebec are already named after dead politicians or prominent Canadians and I think this could be one of the lasting tributes.
Edmonon International and/or Vancouver International airports are not named after anyone famous that I know of yet.
What do you all think of that idea,
Any suggestions and how does one get the ball rolling.

[kevind]

Since Ontario has 2 Billy Bishop airports (Toronto Island and Owen Sound(?)) Why not rename Toronto Island.

[North Shore]

How about re-renaming Toronto Island?

Why Vancouver? Jack had no connection out there (even if it was the left coast!) I'd rather see CYVR named after Grant McConachie...

[kamikaze]

Toronto Island would be a fitting tribute ...

[kevind]

Edmonton would sound good as Max Ward International or Clennell Haggerston "Punch" Dickins OC, OBE, DFC International

[slowstream]

oldtimer,

Like you I have not voted NDP and did not agree with all of Mr. Layton's ideas, but I think he was the best leader on the hill, someone who truly cared about everyday Canadians, a man who displayed and lived with integrity! Mr. Layton earned and had my respect, I think we should honour his work, his character and his life.

A great idea oldtimer!

As a Edmontonian born and raised I would support that idea hands down!

Let me know if there is anything I can do to assist.

[cdnpilot77]

He was popular in the last election...a good politician and a seemingly very nice man, but naming an airport after him? Isnt this a bit extreme? He was a good Canadian, whether you believe in his politics or not, but honours such as this should be reserved for those who have made significant and irrefuttable contributions to the Country as a whole, not just helping to gain a bunch of seats in 1 election.

Edit: I understand the negative impact of Trudeau and Dieffenbaker and they have airports named after them, but they actually served as the country's leader, not just the leader of a party.

[Adam Oke]

He was popular in the last election...a good politician and a seemingly very nice man, but naming an airport after him? Isnt this a bit extreme? He was a good Canadian, whether you believe in his politics or not, but honours such as this should be reserved for those who have made significant and irrefuttable contributions to the Country as a whole, not just helping to gain a bunch of seats in 1 election.

Edit: I understand the negative impact of Trudeau and Dieffenbaker and they have airports named after them, but they actually served as the country's leader, not just the leader of a party.

I think Iggy made a significant contribution to Canada by destroying the Liberal Party. Maybe it should be named after Iggy

[cdnpilot77]

He was popular in the last election...a good politician and a seemingly very nice man, but naming an airport after him? Isnt this a bit extreme? He was a good Canadian, whether you believe in his politics or not, but honours such as this should be reserved for those who have made significant and irrefuttable contributions to the Country as a whole, not just helping to gain a bunch of seats in 1 election.

Edit: I understand the negative impact of Trudeau and Dieffenbaker and they have airports named after them, but they actually served as the country's leader, not just the leader of a party.

I think Iggy made a significant contribution to Canada by destroying the Liberal Party. Maybe it should be named after Iggy

Cant argue that!

[bandaid]

Hell, we have a Pierre Trudeau Airport and all he did for the west was give us the finger.

[cdnpilot77]

Hell, we have a Pierre Trudeau Airport and all he did for the west was give us the finger.

Agreed, see above...he shouldn't have 1, neither should Dieffenbaker

[Indanao]

Most major airports in Ontario and Quebec are already named after dead politicians or prominent Canadians and I think this could be one of the lasting tributes.
Edmonon International and/or Vancouver International airports are not named after anyone famous that I know of yet.
What do you all think of that idea,
Any suggestions and how does one get the ball rolling.[/quote]

+1

[MUSKEG]

Well that might fly in Vancouver but certainly not in Edmonton. As good a politician as he was he was still a politician. There are Canadians who have contributed far more to Canada than he ever did. Lets keep this in perspective people. My hard earned money is taxed and part of that goes to pay not only his but all politicians wages. The return for my money is weak at best. Name monuments after people who gave it all expecting nothing in return. I'm sure he was a good man, but there are many good men and women out there. I'm tired of this story.

[lowlevel]

I vote for "Wayne Gretzky International Airport" for Edmonton! Fuk the crooked politicians, and the horse they rode in on!

[iflyforpie]

I vote for "Wayne Gretzky International Airport" for Edmonton! Fuk the crooked politicians, and the horse they rode in on!

That should be LAX....

[FighterPilot]

Met him during Norseman days a few summers ago in Red lake, we even flew him in our Norseman. Great man, one of the few "likable" politicians.

[Inverted2]

Toronto Island would be a fitting tribute ...

Olivia would love that!

Maybe they'll name it David Miller Airport when his number comes up though.

[Heliian]

Jack Layton was a man that any party would like to have on their side but he was a true champion for the NDP. Regardless of affiliation, he was the only politician that stood up for the union in Sudbury, ON against Vale and was a key factor in resolving the dispute. I was fortunate enough to run into him at the Sudbury airport café one afternoon and had a very brief conversation with him one on one that was truly inspirational. We will not see another patriot like him for generations. My sincere condolences to his family.

I nominate the City of Greater Sudbury Airport (YSB) to be renamed the "Jack Layton International Airport".

[cncpc]

Hell, we have a Pierre Trudeau Airport and all he did for the west was give us the finger.

Well, to be precise, he gave Salmon Arm the finger. I lived there at the time. I don't blame him.

[bandaid]

Hell, we have a Pierre Trudeau Airport and all he did for the west was give us the finger.

Well, to be precise, he gave Salmon Arm the finger. I lived there at the time. I don't blame him.

I lived there as well, finished high school there from the big city of enderby. He just happened to get caught in salmon Arm giving the finger but it was pointed at western Canada.

[winds_in_flight_wtf]

Jack Layton was on of the few politicians who actually knew what "hard work" really was. Even though I am comfortable with Mr. Harper and his fascist ways - It would really have been nice to see what Layton could do for this country. He is , as stated above ; a class act, a politician who fought for the people and not himself. He rode a bicycle as his main mode of transportation (I do not think he has owned a car in 20 years). Yet he came out on top ...

If you're in Toronto, be sure to pay your respects.

A job well done Mr. Layton

[BWL]

Having worked at the Toronto Island Airport in the early 90's, Jack worked very hard to close down that airport and turn it into a subsidised housing. Naming the airport after him just doesn't fit.

[longjon]

I also never voted NDP and only after his death found out about his past and accomplishments. This I admire of the man. The Toronto Island airport public housing is interesting, he and mayor Mandel from Edmonton who shut down the Muni are from the same cloth.
Didn't they want to rename Mt Logan the highest peak in Canada after PET? Sure glad that didn't happen

[MUSKEG]

Mandell may be the one in the seat when it finally happens but we all have jan reimer to thank for the closing of the muni. Check out her political affiliation.

[cyeg66]

Having worked at the Toronto Island Airport in the early 90's, Jack worked very hard to close down that airport and turn it into a subsidised housing. Naming the airport after him just doesn't fit.

That's not terribly different than PET's proverbial hard-on for YMX and how that was supposed to be the death knell for YUL. Still, they (civic leaders in all their infinite wisdom) thought it best to rename the shitcan airport that PET, the man, thought Dorval was, into PET international. More than a few people objected, not surprisingly. I still refer to it as Dorval, still less of a mouthful and doesn't leave a bad taste.