Klubmasta Will
TRIBE Member
Layton diagnosed with prostate cancer
By ELIZABETH THOMPSON and CHRISTINA SPENCER, Parliamentary Bureau
Last Updated: 5th February 2010, 2:14pm
Federal NDP leader Jack Layton, pictured with his wife and fellow NDP MP Olivia Chow, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. (QMI file photo) OTTAWA - Declaring “I’m a fighter,” Jack Layton said today he will undergo treatment for prostate cancer but plans to stay on as leader of the federal New Democratic Party.
With his wife, MP Olivia Chow, standing behind him, he told a press conference he would stay as MP for Toronto Danforth and added he would be on the job Monday morning.
Layton noted prostate cancer can be successfully beaten. He said he had just begun his treatment and felt well.
But he joked he might have to watch the Olympics a bit more than planned as he recuperated. He said Canada’s Olympic athletes would be a source of inspiration for him.
The announcement comes only a few days after Layton, 59, cancelled a speech he was to deliver Sunday to NDP leaders from across the country. His office said he had injured his back at the gym.
During an interview with Sun Media Thursday, Layton appeared slightly distracted.
Layton said this afternoon the back problem was unrelated to his diagnosis.
Prostate cancer is a disease that hits particularly close to home for Layton. His father, former Conservative cabinet minister Robert Layton, stepped down from the House of Commons in 1993 after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Robert Layton eventually died in 2002 at age 76 from complications from prostate cancer and Parkinson’s disease.
Layton spent a lot of time with his father in his final years, visiting him every day in a nursing home.
Like my dad I’m a fighter and I’m going to beat this,” Layton said.
Olivia Chow has also been successfully treated for thyroid cancer.
“She won her battle and I’m going to win mine as well,” Layton said.
A former university professor and Toronto city councillor, Layton has built up the NDP’s popularity since he took over as leader in 2003, growing the party’s seat count in the House of Commons to 37.
By ELIZABETH THOMPSON and CHRISTINA SPENCER, Parliamentary Bureau
Last Updated: 5th February 2010, 2:14pm
Federal NDP leader Jack Layton, pictured with his wife and fellow NDP MP Olivia Chow, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. (QMI file photo) OTTAWA - Declaring “I’m a fighter,” Jack Layton said today he will undergo treatment for prostate cancer but plans to stay on as leader of the federal New Democratic Party.
With his wife, MP Olivia Chow, standing behind him, he told a press conference he would stay as MP for Toronto Danforth and added he would be on the job Monday morning.
Layton noted prostate cancer can be successfully beaten. He said he had just begun his treatment and felt well.
But he joked he might have to watch the Olympics a bit more than planned as he recuperated. He said Canada’s Olympic athletes would be a source of inspiration for him.
The announcement comes only a few days after Layton, 59, cancelled a speech he was to deliver Sunday to NDP leaders from across the country. His office said he had injured his back at the gym.
During an interview with Sun Media Thursday, Layton appeared slightly distracted.
Layton said this afternoon the back problem was unrelated to his diagnosis.
Prostate cancer is a disease that hits particularly close to home for Layton. His father, former Conservative cabinet minister Robert Layton, stepped down from the House of Commons in 1993 after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Robert Layton eventually died in 2002 at age 76 from complications from prostate cancer and Parkinson’s disease.
Layton spent a lot of time with his father in his final years, visiting him every day in a nursing home.
Like my dad I’m a fighter and I’m going to beat this,” Layton said.
Olivia Chow has also been successfully treated for thyroid cancer.
“She won her battle and I’m going to win mine as well,” Layton said.
A former university professor and Toronto city councillor, Layton has built up the NDP’s popularity since he took over as leader in 2003, growing the party’s seat count in the House of Commons to 37.
