Erstwhile NDP leader Jack Layton dead of cancer @ 61

[Saddle Bronc 124]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14618943

Jack Layton, Canadian opposition leader, dies aged 61

2011/08/22 09:49 ET

Jack Layton announced he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in February 2010

Canadian opposition leader Jack Layton has has died from cancer aged 61.

Layton died at his home in Toronto early on Monday surrounded by his wife and children, his family said in a statement.

His left-leaning New Democratic Party (NDP) surged to become the official opposition for the first time in May's elections.

Layton announced he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in February 2010.

The former municipal politician from Toronto stepped down as NDP leader in July two months after leading the party to a second-place finish in federal elections.

Layton said at the time that his withdrawal was only temporary, and that he would return to work after recovering from his illness.

He was elected leader of the left-leaning New Democrats, long the third-place federal party in the Canadian parliament, in 2003.

Before that, the Quebec native was an activist and community organiser in Toronto, campaigning on issues such as Aids, poverty, violence against women and homelessness.

He was elected MP in 2004 from a constituency in Toronto.

His popularity helped the NDP to overtake the Liberals in May's elections and become the country's official opposition party.

Note: Layton resigned leadership 2011/08/28 and turned it over to Nycole Turmel--something BBC missed, but Yahoo didn't.

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

http://www.bbc.co.uk...canada-14618943

Jack Layton, Canadian opposition leader, dies aged 61

2011/08/22 09:49 ET

Jack Layton announced he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in February 2010

Canadian opposition leader Jack Layton has has died from cancer aged 61.

Layton died at his home in Toronto early on Monday surrounded by his wife and children, his family said in a statement.

His left-leaning New Democratic Party (NDP) surged to become the official opposition for the first time in May's elections.

Layton announced he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in February 2010.

The former municipal politician from Toronto stepped down as NDP leader in July two months after leading the party to a second-place finish in federal elections.

Layton said at the time that his withdrawal was only temporary, and that he would return to work after recovering from his illness.

He was elected leader of the left-leaning New Democrats, long the third-place federal party in the Canadian parliament, in 2003.

Before that, the Quebec native was an activist and community organiser in Toronto, campaigning on issues such as Aids, poverty, violence against women and homelessness.

He was elected MP in 2004 from a constituency in Toronto.

His popularity helped the NDP to overtake the Liberals in May's elections and become the country's official opposition party.

Note: Layton resigned leadership 2011/08/28 and turned it over to Nycole Turmel--something BBC missed, but Yahoo didn't.

I was never a fan of the NDP but Mr. Layton was an honest broker. RIP, Sir, RIP. (F)

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A good and loyal Canadian. He passed too early.