Canadian Opposition Leader Dies

NDP Leader Jack Layton, who led Canada's Official Opposition, has died at his Toronto home at age 61 after a battle with cancer.

Layton died peacefully early Monday, according to a statement from his wife, Olivia Chow, and his children, Sarah and Michael Layton.

"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," the statement read.

Details about funeral arrangements will be forthcoming, it said. The family released a letter from Layton to Canadians just after noon.

Layton's death comes less than a month after he announced to the country that he was fighting a new form of cancer and was taking time off for treatment. Layton had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in late 2009 and underwent treatment for it. He continued working throughout that time and also battled a broken hip earlier this year. Layton used a cane for much of his time on the campaign trail this spring as he led the NDP to a historic victory on May 2.

His party claimed 103 seats, and was propelled to Official Opposition status. Layton and Chow, a fellow NDP MP from Toronto, moved into Stornoway, the residence of the Leader of the Official Opposition.

Layton and his party were getting used to their new roles in Parliament but he did not appear to be in good health near the end of June. He said he felt pain and stiffness, he underwent tests and they confirmed he had a new form of cancer. He did not disclose what kind of cancer.

Layton's chief of staff, Anne McGrath, said Monday that Layton's condition took a quick turn for the worse Sunday night.

She spent a few hours with him Saturday and had a sense that he was losing a battle, but says his campaign slogan – don't let them tell you it can't be done – was also a personal slogan.

"It is a huge loss. It is a huge loss for me personally, but it's a huge loss also for our party and our country," she said.

McGrath worked with Layton for nearly a decade.

"There's no question that my heart is broken," she said.

After the news of Layton's death emerged shortly after 8 a.m. ET, friends, colleagues and Canadians reacted quickly and with shock, sadness and tears. The flag on the Peace Tower was lowered to half-mast.
Harper saddened by news

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a statement saying he was saddened to hear the news.

"On behalf of all Canadians, I salute Jack's contribution to public life, a contribution that will be sorely missed," said Harper. "I know one thing: Jack gave his fight against cancer everything he had. Indeed, Jack never backed down from any fight," said Harper.

Longtime NDP leader and MP Ed Broadbent told CBC News he sensed the end was coming, but was still shocked when he got the call Monday morning.

"In each and every election, he moved us forward...he wanted a reason in politics," Broadbent said.

"Canada has lost a great politician. A man who believed in working for the public good. And I've lost a personal friend."

NDP deputy leader Libby Davies, fighting back tears, said Layton's death is "an incredible loss."

"Jack was not only a great leader of the NDP, he's someone that Canadians across the country came to love. We feel a tremendous sense of loss and grief," she said.

Jack Layton, speaking at the NDP's 50th anniversary convention in June, led his party past the Liberals to become the official opposition during the spring election. Jack Layton, speaking at the NDP's 50th anniversary convention in June, led his party past the Liberals to become the official opposition during the spring election. Darryl Dyck/Canadian PressDavies said Layton brought a sense of humanity to Canadian politics and in his career and his life, especially his battle with cancer, "he gave it his all."

"We have only love and respect for everything that he did and he leaves some really important legacies in Canadian politics," she said.

NDP interim leader Nycole Turmel spoke of one of Layton's favourite quotes from Tommy Douglas, the founder of the CCF, the NDP's forerunner. Layton included the quote in every email he sent: “Courage my friends, ‘tis never too late to build a better world.”

"Jack was a courageous man. It was his leadership that inspired me, and so many others, to run for office," Turmel said in her statement.

"We – members of Parliament, New Democrats and Canadians – need to pull together now and carry on his fight to make this country a better place."

The NDP appointed Turmel to take over for Layton temporarily. Layton wanted to be back at work in time for Parliament's fall session in mid-September.

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