In a note to party faithful today Jack Layton announced he is taking a temporary leave of absence as Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada to fight another bout of cancer.
In a note to party faithful today Jack Layton announced he is taking a temporary leave of absence as Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada to fight another bout of cancer.
The 61-year-old leader of the official opposition battled prostate cancer in February 2010.
Full details are contained in the letter below.
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My fellow New Democrat,
I wanted to share this with you first.
On February 5th, 2010 I shared with Canadians that I, like 25,000 other Canadian men every year, had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
I have received overwhelming support from my loving family, my friends, my caucus and party, and thousands of everyday Canadians.
Their stories and support have touched me. And I have drawn strength and inspiration from them.
In the closing days of the most recent session of the House of Commons, I suffered from some stiffness and pain.
After the House rose, I undertook a series of tests at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto.
My battle against prostate cancer is going very well. My PSA levels remain virtually undetectable.
However, these tests, whose results I received last week, also indicate that I have a new, non-prostate cancer that will require further treatment.
So, on the advice of my doctors, I am going to focus on treatment and recovery.
I will therefore be taking a temporary leave of absence as Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada. I'm going to fight this cancer now, so I can be back to fight for families when Parliament resumes.
To that end, I have requested that the President of our party, Brian Topp, consult our Parliamentary caucus and then convene a meeting of our party's federal council to appoint an interim leader.
The interim leader will serve until I resume my duties.
I intend to do so when Parliament meets on September 19th.
I am also making a recommendation on who the interim leader should be.
I suggest that Hull-Aylmer MP Nycole Turmel be named interim leader during this period.
Ms. Turmel enjoys unanimous support as the national chair of our Parliamentary caucus. She is an experienced national leader in both official languages. And she will do an excellent job as our national interim leader.
Let me conclude by saying this.
If I have tried to bring anything to federal politics, it is the idea that hope and optimism should be at their heart.
We CAN look after each other better than we do today. We CAN have a fiscally responsible government. We CAN have a strong economy; greater equality; a clean environment.
We CAN be a force for peace in the world.
I am as hopeful and optimistic about all of this as I was the day I began my political work, many years ago.
I am hopeful and optimistic about the personal battle that lies before me in the weeks to come.
And I am very hopeful and optimistic that our party will continue to move forward.
We WILL replace the Conservative government, a few short years from now.
And we WILL work with Canadians to build the country of our hopes Of our dreams Of our optimism Of our determination Of our values... Of our love.
Thank you.
Jack Layton
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Meanwhile, Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement after hearing Jack Layton will take a temporary leave of absence from his position as leader of the Official Opposition:
"I was deeply saddened today to hear that Jack Layton is temporarily leaving his post as leader of Her Majesty's Official Opposition and leader of the New Democratic Party.
Mr. Layton is passionate about his convictions and the future of our great country. I would like to wish Jack a successful recovery so he can quickly return to his post.
I salute the courage Mr. Layton continues to show in his fight against cancer, a fight that more and more Canadians are winning. We are all heartened by Jack's strength and tireless determination, which with Mr. Layton will never be in short supply.
On behalf of Laureen and myself, and on behalf of our entire Conservative caucus, I would like to offer our heartfelt support to Jack, Olivia and their family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time."
