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In a letter to Canadians days before his death in August 2011, Layton famously penned: “Love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear.”

Chow insisted Tuesday that the NDP is “the party of love, hope and optimism,” but also said her party should remain focused on the ruling Conservatives.

“If we are to have a better country, and certainly Canadians deserve a lot better, we need to focus on Stephen Harper. Yes, we are the party of love, hope and optimism and let’s be hopeful. Let’s not be fearful of each other, but let’s train our eyes on the real problem, which is Stephen Harper’s government,” the Toronto MP (and expected 2014 mayoral candidate) told reporters.

The comment would seemingly put her at odds with NDP Leader Tom Muclair, who has increasingly taken shots at Trudeau, whose popularity in Quebec could wipe out the NDP’s historic gains in the 2011 election.

Mulcair angrily denounced Trudeau’s comments Tuesday.

“That Justin Trudeau would use Jack Layton’s dying words as a political tool says everything that needs to be said about Justin Trudeau’s judgment and character,” he told reporters.

But Trudeau defended his use of Layton’s words in comments reported in a Toronto newspaper.

“I have spoken at length about Sir Wilfrid Laurier, and his sunny ways that inspire me. I have also made no apologies for the fact that Jack Layton has inspired me as well, as he has many, many Canadians, in his approach to politics and his dedication. I think the NDP need to realize they have strayed very much from the kind of positive focus that many great politicians have pushed in the past,” Mr. Trudeau reportedly said Wednesday.