*** Welcome to piglix ***

Jack Layton

The Honourable
Jack Layton
PC
Jack Layton - 2011.jpg
Leader of the Opposition
In office
May 2, 2011 – August 22, 2011
Monarch Elizabeth II
Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Preceded by Michael Ignatieff
Succeeded by Nycole Turmel
Leader of the New Democratic Party
In office
January 25, 2003 – August 22, 2011
(Leave of absence from July 28, 2011)
Preceded by Alexa McDonough
Succeeded by Nycole Turmel (Interim)
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for Toronto—Danforth
In office
June 28, 2004 – August 22, 2011
Preceded by Dennis Mills
Succeeded by Craig Scott
Personal details
Born John Gilbert Layton
(1950-07-18)July 18, 1950
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Died August 22, 2011(2011-08-22) (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.


...
Wikipedia

...