And Canadians in the main don't seem to care; many roundly chastised journalists who raised questions in the period after Layton's rapid decline and death last summer. Widespread admiration and affection for the late NDP leader may be behind the difficulty the electorate seems to have in separating emotion over his passing from the issue at stake. CBC Politics blogger Kady O'Malley hosts a special summer edition of her "Wednesdays with Kady" live chat, taking your comments and answering your questions alongside some special guests.
Share your thoughts on Layton's legacy, your personal reflections on the anniversary of his death or your view on how the NDP has fared in the year since. But if so, Canadians may be missing a key point about why people should care about the health of their would-be leaders, some experts say. It's not about attempting to sully Layton's reputation or legacy. It's not even about Layton. It's about whether voters have the right to know if, to the best of their knowledge, politicians believe they'll be able to fulfil the role they're asking voters to give them.
Lawrence Altman has explored the health of U. He says it's surprising that at this point in history a political leader could die of an undisclosed illness — and says it is unlikely American media outlets would have let the issue go easily.
Altman is researching a book he hopes to write about political leaders and their health status disclosure.
It's up to the public to decide whether that illness interferes with the ability to carry out the functions of office or whether that person should be elected. Parliament was dissolved and a federal election called. Layton and his NDP team wasted no time getting on the campaign trail; the day after the election was announced they were on the stump, first in Ottawa and later in the day in Edmonton.
Jack Layton had announced in February that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. He undertook the election campaign with the same apparent vigour and enthusiasm he had displayed throughout his career.
However, in July he announced that he would be taking a temporary leave from his duties to fight a second cancer. He recommended Nycole Turmel as interim leader, and stated that he intended to be back in the House when Parliament resumed on 19 September. Layton, however, succumbed to the disease only a month later. During his final days he composed a letter to be read upon his death, urging all cancer sufferers to remain strong, his party to continue to work toward its goals, and all Canadians, young people in particular, to remain positive about a better future.
Search The Canadian Encyclopedia. Remember me. I forgot my password. Why sign up? He was elected leader of the NDP in , and was elected to the Commons for the first time in In the federal election, the NDP placed fourth, with 29 seats. Two years later, they gained eight more seats in the election. As NDP leader, Layton worked to secure benefits for the unemployed and more funding for social services. He also helped to shape the federal government's historic apology for the residential school system that separated aboriginal students from their families and sent them to church-run institutions where many were beaten and sexually abused.
Layton was shrewd and calculating, but also friendly and outgoing. His easy smile and an optimistic view of life led to his nickname, "Smiling Jack". Layton passed away at his home in Toronto early on Monday surrounded by his wife and children, his family said in a statement.
He stepped down only last month as party leader to fight his illness. In a letter released by the NDP after his death was announced, Mr Layton said he remained optimistic about Canada's future and its political system. Layton urged readers to "to cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey, as I have done this summer".
He described Canada as "a great country, one of the hopes of the world".
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