Layton taking leave of absence, citing new cancer
National Post Staff Jul 25, 2011 – 1:53 PM ET | Last Updated: Jul 25, 2011 3:09 PM ET
By Kathryn Blaze Carlson and Tamsin McMahon
Jack Layton announced he is temporarily stepping down as leader of the federal NDP, saying doctors had diagnosed him with a new type of cancer.
Mr. Layton said he underwent tests at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto after feeling stiffness and pain during the last session of the House of Commons. While doctors told him his prostate cancer was “virtually undetectable,” they had discovered a new, non-prostate cancer.
“I’m going to fight this cancer now, so I can be back to fight for families when Parliament resumes,” on Sept. 19, he said at a press conference in Toronto Monday afternoon, and quickly sending out the same message on Twitter.
Mr. Layton, who turned 61 last week, leaned heavily on his cane as he limped to the podium at a downtown Toronto hotel looking gaunt, despite wearing heavy makeup, and sounding hoarse.
He was flanked by his wife, Toronto NDP MP Olivia Chow, and party president Brian Topp.
Mr. Layton was vague about his new illness, but a senior NDP source told the National Post that doctors still required more tests to determine the new type of cancer he is battling. The Twittersphere was abuzz with speculation that Mr. Layton was suffering from bone cancer after breaking his hip earlier this year.
Mr. Layton was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital for “some period of time” Mr. Topp said.
The party will convene to choose an interim leader, although Mr. Layton said he was recommending Hull-Aylmer MP Nycole Turmel, the party’s caucus chairwoman, over Thomas Mulcair, deputy leader and the party’s most senior member in Quebec.
“Ms. Turmel enjoys unanimous support as the national chair of our Parliamentary caucus,” he said. “She is an experienced national leader in both official languages. And she will do an excellent job as our national interim leader.”
Despite his latest health problems, Mr. Layton said he intended to return as party leader. “I am hopeful and optimistic about the personal battle that lies before me in the weeks to come,” he said.
Mr. Layton has been dogged by health problems in recent years.
In March, he underwent surgery for a hip fracture. His health problems didn’t keep him from the spring campaign trail, where he appeared at election events with a cane.
In February 2010, he publicly revealed that he was being treated for prostate cancer, the same illness that struck his father, former Conservative MP Robert Layton.
“I’m a fighter and I’m going to beat this,” he said at the time. My treatment plan is now under way and everything is under way. I’m feeling good.”
In 2006, he admitted to having surgery at the private Shouldice Hosptial for a hernia in the 1990s. He has also suffered from appendicitis.
A former Toronto city councillor, Mr. Layton was named party leader in 2003 and elected MP for Toronto-Danforth in 2004.
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