Jack Layton has announced he is fighting a second form of cancer and will be temporarily stepping down as NDP leader with the hope of returning in the fall. But his frail appearance and refusal to disclose what new type of cancer he is facing will only fuel speculation that he has addressed Canadians as leader of the opposition for the last time.
With his wife and fellow NDP MP Olivia Chow at his side, Layton walked into a conference room at the Toronto Hilton using the cane that has accompanied him since he had hip surgery in March. Already battling prostate cancer, he looked extremely thin and pale beneath television makeup, but displayed the trademark defiance that has made him an effective leader over his three decades in municipal and federal politics.
“If I’ve tried to bring anything to federal politics, it’s the idea that hope and optimism should be at their heart,” he said, reaffirming his belief that Canadians will one day achieve a more equal and sustainable society. “As I am hopeful and optimistic about all of this, I have to say I am as optimistic as when I started out my life in politics. And so I’m hopeful and optimistic about the personal battle that lies before me in weeks to come.”
Chow sat by his side throughout his announcement, looking expressionless on a day that was no doubt an emotional one for the NDP and its supporters. Mike Layton, who is serving his first term as a Toronto city councillor, did not attend.
NDP president Brian Topp, who spoke after Layton, told reporters “I wouldn’t bet against Jack Layton. Jack Layton has a habit of taking on tough battles and winning them.”
On February 5 of last year Layton announced that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and fought through his illness to lead the NDP to its biggest ever win at the polls, sweeping the party into a long-coveted position as official opposition.
On Monday Layton said that near the end of the last session of Parliament he began to feel “some stiffness and some pain” and underwent a series of medical tests at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. He said the results showed that while his fight against prostate cancer was going well, he had another form of cancer that required treatment.
An interim party leader will be chosen as early as Thursday, and Layton has recommended veteran Quebec MP Nycole Turmel take over in his absence. Turmel, who represents the riding of Hull-Aylmer, is the NDP caucus chair and is well-placed to lead the crop of rookie Quebecois MPs who were elected this spring.
Layton is clearly now in the fight of his life and tributes to his courage are already pouring in from Canadians of all political stripes.
The NDP has set up a website through which well-wishers can send him messages of support.
