TORONTO, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Powerful politicians of all stripes put politics aside in Toronto Saturday for the funeral of New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton.
"Supporters and opponents alike have had an opportunity to pay honor, to express their gratitude for Jack Layton's contribution to public life," Prime Minister Stephen Harper, a Conservative, said of the socialist-leaning politico who died of cancer this week at age 61.
"I wanted to come and wanted to be there to pay tribute to him -- like the rest of Canada wanted to do," former Prime Minister Jean Chretien, a Liberal, said.
Governor General David Johnston called the service, attended by about 2,400 people, an opportunity to "celebrate a remarkable life of leadership," the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported.
"It is so important in our system to have a clear and passionate voice for the ordinary person, and Mr. Layton was that person," Johnston said.
Thousands of people lined the streets to capture a glimpse of Layton's coffin as it passed during a procession before the funeral. Layton's widow, NDP Member of Parliament Olivia Chow, and his children Sarah and Mike, followed the hearse on foot, the CBC said.
Layton's body is to be cremated and his ashes spread at three locations.
Toronto's CN Tower was to be lit in orange from sundown Saturday until sunrise Sunday in his honor.
