After 11 years of bringing you local reporting, the team behind the Vancouver Observer has moved on to Canada's National Observer. You can follow Vancouver culture reporting over there from now on. Thank you for all your support over the years!

Christie Blatchford column on Layton's death sparks angry response

column published by National Post writer Christie Blatchford is generating heated on and offline discussion for what many believe to be its insensitive and opportunistic response to Jack Layton's death.

Blatchford calls Layton's final letter "vainglorious," and compares the "over-the-top" reaction of people grieving his death to that of mourners at Princess Diana's funeral. 

Since its publication Monday night at 6:53 ET, the comment section of the article has so far generated 1,032 replies and remains active. The column's top 10 comments deride her for both the content and timing of her comments.

Here are some tweets on the controversy:

 Steve Burgess

 

The column was published as a response to Jack Layton's final letter to Canadians. In the letter he expressed his gratitude for the political and personal support he has recieved over the years from Canadians, and most notably since he was first diagnosed with cancer. The letter also contains his wishes for the future of NDP leadership and features a call to Canadians for optimism and hope.

More in Canada

The joy of giving

Science is now providing the evidence for what we have long held to be true: that it is better to give than to receive.

Amazing photos of September in Vancouver

Take a look back at September captured through the lenses of our VO Flickr Pool contributors.

A young Iranian helps Syrian refugees adjust to Canada

A young Iranian, himself, new to Canada reaches out to help Syrian refugees settle here. But with the war in Syria, tensions between Iranians and Syrians are rising. How will he succeed?
Speak up about this article on Facebook or Twitter. Do this by liking Vancouver Observer on Facebook or following us @Vanobserver on Twitter. We'd love to hear from you.