Advertisement

News

Timeline of a political genius

The high and low points of Jack Layton’s 30 years as a community organizer and politician.

1971 Joins the NDP.

1982 Wins city council seat over Gordon Chong in downtown Ward 6.

1984 Arrested for handing out pro-union leaflets at Eaton Square.

1985 Scores seat on metro council.

1988 Marries Olivia Chow.

1989 Pushes mayor Art Eggleton to declare Gay And Lesbian Pride Day.

• In the 80s, serves as chair of Toronto Board of Health and wins the first funding for HIV/AIDS programs.

• Helps design the city’s metal ring-and-post bike locks there are now 16,000 of them.

1990 Argues against Olympic bid on the grounds that there’s no cash to make the Games socially responsible.

1991 Runs for mayor against June Rowlands and loses.

• Co-founds the Toronto Atmospheric Fund, presaging the climate change movement and laying the basis for the successful Enwave deep water cooling operation.

• Establishes Green Catalyst Group Inc., an enviro consulting business.

• Helps establish the White Ribbon Campaign, offering to mortgage his home to fund it. Now operates in more than 60 countries.

1993 Loses his first federal bid to Bill Graham in Rosedale.

1994 Elected to city council again.

Among his achievements in the 90s:

• Chairs the city’s Environmental Task Force, where he pioneers sustainable communities, food security and helps inspire WindShare project leading to T.O.’s first windmill.

• Co-chairs Metro’s Advisory Committee on Homeless and Socially Isolated Persons he tours the city at night, helping ensure the safety of those on the street.

• Co-chairs Toronto Cycling Committee.

1997 Tries for federal Toronto-Danforth seat but is defeated by Dennis Mills.

2000 Writes Homelessness: The Making and Unmaking of a Crisis

2001 Elected president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, where he negotiates the transfer of a portion of federal gas tax for public transit.

2003 Runs for and wins the federal NDP leadership.

2004 Wins federal seat in Broadview-Danforth

2005 Backs Paul Martin’s Liberal government in exchange for $4.6 bil for transit, affordable housing, job training and foreign aid, some of which is never delivered. Called “first NDP federal budget in history.”

2006 Presses for withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and the start of a peace process.

• Urges a moratorium on tar sands development.

2008 Olivia Chow introduces a motion for asylum for U.S. war resisters fleeing the Iraq war.

• Layton develops an accord with the Liberals, with Bloc support, to establish a coalition government, to the howls of the national media Harper prorogues Parliament.

2010 Announces he has prostate cancer and vows to stay in his post and beat the disease.

2011 May: Campaigns with jubilation in the election despite left hip fracture and use of a cane aces the leaders’ debate wins the hearts of Quebeckers, capturing 103 seats and becoming leader of the Opposition.

• July 25: Announces he has developed a new cancer and that he will be on temporary leave appoints Nycole Turmel as interim leader.

• August 22: Passes away at his home in Chinatown.

Browse through 30 years of NOW articles about Jack Layton. See our curated list of archives here.

Advertisement

Exclusive content and events straight to your inbox

Subscribe to our Newsletter

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By signing up, I agree to receive emails from Now Toronto and to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

Recently Posted