Inside Politics

UPDATED: Jack Layton diagnosed with prostate cancer, will stay on as leader

by Kady O'Malley Posted: February 5, 2010 11:53 AM Last Updated: February 5, 2010 5:23 PM

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UPDATE: CBC News is now reporting that Jack Layton will announce that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and will be undergoing treatment. Other Canadian politicians to face the same health challenges include Preston Manning and Allan Rock, to name two. According to Colleague Barton, Layton revealed his condition to MPs on a teleconference call this morning; so far, it's not clear whether he will be stepping down temporarily, and, if so, who will fill his role in the interim, but I'm sure we'll find out a few minutes from now when he speaks to the press. 

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Well, forget all that stuff about it being a sleepy Friday afternoon on the federal political front -- not after the following media advisory from Jack Layton's office hit the inbox, and, seconds later, teh twitter: 

JACK LAYTON TO MAKE ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT HIS PERSONAL STATUS AND HIS IMMEDIATE FUTURE AS NDP LEADER 

 2:00 PM Statement by Jack Layton 

 Estonian House - Gallery 
 958 Broadview Ave. 
 Toronto

After an initial flurry of twittergossip that he could be planning to resign -- perhaps even to run as mayor of Toronto! -- the consensus was -- or is at the moment -- that he's most likely going to announce that he's stepping down, but only temporarily, for health-related reasons. 
After all, he's spent the last week sidelined with a bad back that kept him from coming back to Ottawa for an NDP federal council meeting. Given that, the notion that he might want to take a bit of a breather from his leadership duties in order to get his groove back doesn't seem completely out of the blue. (Not as out of the blue as running for mayor of Toronto, anyway.)

 Then again, who knows? Check back for updates as we get more information.

UPDATE: According to Colleague @RosieBarton, "he's not running for mayor of Toronto," and "it's not going to be good news." 

NOT AN UPDATE BUT A BRIEF TANGENTIAL MUSING: I know this is probably shaping up to be a tough day for a lot of NDP staffers, but I can't help but gently point out that, if they hoped that sticking the words "under embargo" atop a media advisory that includes the words "make announcement about his personal status and his immediate future as NDP leader" would keep the whole thing under wraps until the stated hour, well ... lesson learned, I hope. 

More -- or, more accurately, more of the same speculation -- from the Globe and Mail's Ottawa Notebook, Canadian Press, Sun Media and CanWest News Service. 

UPDATE: According to the Toronto Star, Layton has "a serious illness" but will stay on as party leader: 

Sources say the 59-year-old Layton, who has been leader for seven years, says his personal health is not good, but refused to say what it is exactly.

Layton had been complaining of a sore back from what he thought was a strained muscle from working out at the gym.

"It's more than that," a source told the Star.

It seems that's what most people are hearing from their respective NDP sources. If that's the case, we can only hope that he'll be hale, hearty and back in Ottawa as soon as he's able to do so with his usual energy and inimitable style. 

NOTES FROM THE NEWS CONFERENCE: Yes, he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer -- the same kind that his father had, fought and eventually beat  -- and his treatment is already underway. He won't be stepping aside as leader, but he suspects he may have more time than he was expecting to watch -- and be inspired by the courage and dedication of -- Canada's Olympic athletes. Read his full statement here. 

REACTION ON THE HILL: Just moments ago, Michael Ignatieff's office sent out the following statement: 

"Jack Layton has fought many battles in his life, but none will be as demanding as the fight he now faces.  We all know how combative Jack is and we know that he will face this challenge with his usual determination.  I wish him strength and courage on the road to recovery, and I know all Canadians stand behind him in this fight.

The news that Mr. Layton is battling prostate cancer is a sobering moment of reflection for all of us who work with him in Parliament.  While we often find ourselves lined up on different sides of the issues, we are always united in our desire to make Canada a better country, and united in our respect for each other.  Today, we are united in our support for one of our fellow MPs, who has contributed greatly to his country.

Jack, please know that you and Olivia will be in my and Zsuzsanna's thoughts and prayers each day as you take on this challenge.  On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our Parliamentary caucus, I wish you a fast recovery."

Also, from Twitter:

GillesDuceppe: Cher Jack, ton dynamisme et ta détermination viendront à bout de cette épreuve. Bon courage.

mpjamesmoore: Wishing Jack Layton a quick & successful treatment. He's always been a fighter, he will beat this
 
DenisCoderre: je souhait un prompt retablissement a Jack Layton. you are a fighter and you will win... hang in there

The National Post reports that the prime minister wished Layton "a speedy recovery" from Saskatoon, where he's meeting with caucus, noting that he "looks forward to doing political battle with him for years to come." 

UPDATE: Here's the full text of the PM's response on Layton: 

I spoke to Jack earlier today, and obviously wished him all of my best in facing these health challenges that he has going forward.  You know, it's a funny business.  You do battle with the guy for many, many years, but at the same time, as the Premier knows, you often develop at the same time very close relationships with some of your counterparts.  And Laureen and I certainly consider...certainly consider Jack and Olivia friends, and we just wish them all the best.  As I told him, I know many people, as does he, who've faced this challenge and have overcome it, and so we'll be pulling for him.  Our thoughts and prayers will be with him, and I look forward to doing political battle with him for many years to come.  

Je peux peut-être, je voudrais le répéter.  J'ai parlé avec Jack un peu plus tôt aujourd'hui.  Comme je viens de dire, c'est une affaire un peu différente en politique.  On a des opposants, mais surtout avec les autres chefs, on développe des relations personnelles, et Laureen et moi, nous considérons Jack et Olivia comme des amis, et nos pensées, nos prières sont avec lui pendant cette crise de santé.  Je lui ai dit que je connais beaucoup de personnes, comme Jack a dit la même chose, nous connaissons beaucoup de personnes qui ont traversé un tel défi, et qui ont surpassé, et moi, j'attends avec impatience des batailles politiques avec Jack pour des années à venir.  

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