Jack Layton
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The Honourable Jack Layton PC |
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| Leader of the Opposition | |
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In office May 2, 2011 – August 22, 2011 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Stephen Harper |
| Preceded by | Michael Ignatieff |
| Succeeded by | Nycole Turmel |
| Leader of the New Democratic Party | |
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In office January 25, 2003 – August 22, 2011 (Leave of absence from July 28, 2011) |
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| Preceded by | Alexa McDonough |
| Succeeded by | Nycole Turmel (Interim) |
| Member of the Canadian Parliament for Toronto—Danforth |
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In office June 28, 2004 – August 22, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Dennis Mills |
| Succeeded by | Craig Scott |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Gilbert Layton July 18, 1950 Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Died | August 22, 2011 (aged 61) Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Resting place | Ashes scattered on the Toronto Islands, buried in the Toronto Necropolis and planted at the Wyman United Church cemetery in Hudson, Quebec |
| Political party | New Democratic Party |
| Spouse(s) |
Sally Halford (m. 1969; div. 1983) Olivia Chow (m. 1988) |
| Relations |
Robert Layton (Father) Beatrice Dora Campbell (Granddaughter) |
| Children |
Mike Layton Sarah Campbell |
| Alma mater |
McGill University York University |
| Profession | Professor, Politician |
| Religion | United Church of Canada |
| Signature |  |
John Gilbert "Jack" Layton PC (July 18, 1950 – August 22, 2011) was a Canadian politician and Leader of the Official Opposition. He was leader of the New Democratic Party from 2003 to 2011, and previously sat on Toronto City Council, occasionally holding the title of acting mayor or deputy mayor of Toronto during his tenure as city councillor. He was the Member of Parliament for Toronto—Danforth from 2004 until his death.
Son of a Progressive Conservative cabinet minister, Layton was raised in Hudson, Quebec. He rose to prominence in Toronto municipal politics, where he was one of the most prominent left-wing voices on city and Metropolitan Toronto councils, championing many progressive causes. In 1991, he ran for mayor, losing to June Rowlands. Returning to council, he rose to become head of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. In 2003, he was elected leader of the NDP on the first ballot of the convention.
Under his leadership, support for the NDP increased in each election. The party's popular vote almost doubled in the 2004 election, which gave the NDP the balance of power in Paul Martin's minority government. In May 2005 the NDP supported the Liberal budget in exchange for major amendments, in what was promoted as Canada's "First NDP budget". In November of that year, Layton voted with other opposition parties to defeat the Liberal government over the findings of the Gomery Commission. The NDP saw further gains in the 2006 and 2008 elections, in which the party elected 29 and 37 MPs, respectively.
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