New form of cancer sidelines Layton

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This article was published 26/07/2011 (5416 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

News that federal New Democratic Party Leader Jack Layton is suffering from a second type of cancer and will take a leave of absence from Parliament shocked political observers across Canada on Monday.

"My battle of prostate cancer is going very well," Layton said in a nationally televised press conference in Toronto.

"However, these tests, whose results I received just last week, also indicate I have a new cancer, non-prostate cancer that will require further treatment."

Layton did not disclose the type or location of this cancer, and did not take questions from assembled media. His voice was weak and he appeared frail while making the announcement.

Local New Democrats were numbed by the news.

"I am so sorry to hear that," said an emotional Brandon East NDP MLA Drew Caldwell.

"I supported Jack during his leadership campaign and he’s been an extraordinary leader. He’s a man of integrity and I’m just really sorry to hear this. I’m taken aback by this.

"He’s definitely doing what he needs to do. I’ve known Jack for years and my thoughts and prayers are with Jack, Olivia (Chow, Layton’s wife) and his family."

Brandon Mayor Shari Decter Hirst, a former provincial NDP president, said the fact that Layton fought an election and finished a Parliamentary sitting, "must have been exhausting for him."

"I saw him in some scrum on ‘The National’ and I was quite alarmed at how much weight he had lost since the last time I had seen him on television," said Decter Hirst, who has also known Layton for years.

"I admire the determination he has in battling this cancer, and this isn’t a decision he would have come to lightly as he is passionately committed to his party and to Canada. But obviously the priority has to be regaining his strength and his health."

Decter Hirst said Layton’s leave of absence comes at a particularly difficult time for the New Democrats. His leadership skills will be missed as the federal caucus has many rookie MPs.

"He’s been incredibly inspiring as a leader and he has a very fresh caucus to lead," Decter Hirst said. "Any party would be missing that senior statesman as they go forward with the agenda for the next four years."

Layton has asked party officials to name a Quebec MP, Nycole Turmel (Hull-Aylmer), to serve as interim leader.

"Jack thinks through these decisions and certainly would have consulted with members of the party," Decter Hirst said. "I believe the party will rally around her as she takes on these new responsibilities."

Layton said he intends to be back to work on Parliament Hill on Sept. 19.

"Jack has incredible strength and if anyone can beat this, it will be him," Decter Hirst said. "His wife and partner Olivia is an incredibly strong woman. He has the good wishes of a country behind him. Anything that can be in his corner, is."

On Twitter, NDP Premier Greg Selinger said that Layton "is a fighter & a good man. He will beat this. On behalf of all Manitobans Jack, I wish you a speedy recovery."

» With files from The Canadian Press