We are mourning today a great Canadian and a great leader. He was a friend, he was a colleague for many of us, if not all of us. - Nycole Turmel

I'm honoured by the confidence the council has shown in me as well as my team and Jack Layton. I clearly have big shoes to fill, but I'm also fortunate to be standing on such a solid foundation. Jack Layton has spent eight years building this New Democrat movement for a better Canada, eight years building a team that is ready to tackle any circumstance with hope and optimism. That's exactly what you can expect from us in the coming weeks

Jack Layton believed so much in the power of democracy and of this Parliament. I invite all honourable members in this House to join me in picking up this torch and making this an institution in which Canadians can be proud

Mr. Harper always has an approach that is divisive and we don't agree with that.Create an environment where people are talking to each other, where they are helping each other, instead of an environment where you create things that will go against the security of the people.