NDP Leader Jack Layton dies after battle with cancer
Posted Aug 22, 2011 10:03 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – NDP Leader Jack Layton has died at the age of 61, after his second battle with cancer.
A statement from Layton’s family issued this morning indicates the well-liked political leader passed away peacefully at his home.
“We deeply regret to inform you that The Honourable Jack Layton, leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada, passed away at 4:45 am today, Monday August 22. He passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family and loved ones. Details of Mr. Layton’s funeral arrangements will be forthcoming.”
Layton’s death comes just shy of a month after he made a public appearance to announce he was once again battling cancer. During the Toronto press conference the usually energetic leader looked gaunt and sick.
Speaking to the crowd Layton said although he had beaten his prostate cancer, he had been diagnosed with a second type of cancer and on the advice of his doctors, he was going to focus on treatment and recovery.
“I’m going to fight this cancer now, so that I can be back to fight for families when parliament resumes,” Layton said.
The second bout with cancer came only shortly after Layton managed to win the position of leader of the official opposition in the latest election.
Born in Hudson, Quebec in the summer of 1950, Layton was a charismatic leader who was well liked across the country. His father was a politician by trade, serving as a Conservative cabinet minister in the Brian Mulroney government.
Layton was first elected to Toronto City Council in 1981, where he spent 20 years as a thorn in the left side of Conservative mayors. He ran for mayor of Toronto twice, and although he lost both times, he managed to become the leader of the NDP in 2003.
