Jack Layton to take leave after new cancer found

NDP Leader Jack Layton stunnedCanada's political arena onMonday, announcing he is taking a temporary leave of absence to receive treatment after doctors discoveredhe has a new cancer.

The surprise announcementcomesjust overtwo months after Layton led his party to record gains in the federal election and Official Opposition status in the House of Commons.

Layton,speaking at times with a strained voice alongside his wife, NDP MP Olivia Chow, vowed to return to his position when Parliament resumes on Sept. 19.

"I will beat this new cancer and I will be back in the House of Commons todefend the values and priorities ofCanadian families," he told reporters at a news conference in Toronto.

Layton's departure, however long, creates a significant problem for the New Democrats, who have faced repeated questions about the experience levels of some of their new MPs in opposition to Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservative majority government.

Layton is considered the most popular federal leader among Canadians and is largely credited with his party's unprecedented success in May's general election, which saw the New Democrats become the second-largest party in the Commons, the Bloc Qubcois decimated and the Liberals reducedto third-party status.

Laytonsaid the party executive would begin consulting with the NDP caucus to choose an interim leader until he returns to his duties.

But in another surprise move, LaytonrecommendedNycole Turmel, the NDP's national caucus chair and rookieMPfor the Quebec riding of Hull-Aylmer, for the post.

Layton, 61, who represents theToronto-Danforth riding and has led the New Democrats since 2003,was diagnosed with prostate cancer in late 2009 and went public with it in February 2010.Healso underwent hip surgery earlier this year and used a cane duringthe recentfederal election campaign.

Interim leader to be appointed soon

He said doctors at Toronto's Princess Margaret Hospital found the new cancerlast week afterhe suffered some stiffness and pain in the closing days of the most recent session of the House of Commons.

"My battle against prostate cancer is going very well. My PSA levels remain virtually undetectable," Layton said.

"However, these tests also indicate that I have a new, non-prostate cancer that will require further treatment. So, on the advice of my doctors, I am going to focus on treatment and recovery."

In a statement, Princess Margaret Hospital said its doctors have been treatingLayton for prostate cancer since his diagnosis.

"Recently, new tumours were discovered which appear to be unrelated to the original cancer, and Mr. Layton is now being treated for this cancer," the hospital said.

PM hails Layton's 'tireless determination'

Tributes and messages of support fromLayton's adversaries in the House ofCommons began pouring in shortly afterhis announcement.

The prime minister offered his "heartfelt support" for Layton and his family and wished him a "successful recovery so he can return to his post."

"I salute the courage Mr. Layton continues to show in his fight against cancer, a fight that more and more Canadians are winning," Harper said in a statement.

"We are all heartened by Jack's strength and tireless determination, which with Mr. Layton will never be in short supply."

Layton spoke to both Harper and Quebec Premier Jean Charest after the announcement, NDP spokeswoman Kathleen Monk said.

"The call with the prime minister was very interesting. Very personal. They have known each other for a number of years now so they were talking about their families and vacation," she toldPeter Mansbridge, CBC's chief correspondent.

Monk said Layton got the test results last Wednesday and told top level staff the next day.

Interim Liberal Leader Bob Rae said he was stunned by the news and also wished Layton a speedy and full recovery.

"I think he made the right decision," Rae told CBC News. "He is a great fighter. I think Canadians admire tremendously his resilience and determination to deal with the prostate cancer. The way he did that very publicly was very courageous."

In a statement, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May alsooffered her support for Layton.

"From Toronto city council, to heading up the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to leader of the NDP, we have worked together over many years. I join Canadians across Canada who wish him well and pray for his recovery," said May.

Rookie MP tapped for interim leader

Layton did not take questions from reporters, instead leaving NDP president Brian Topp to field queries over whatthismeans for the party as it preparesforits first full session in the House of Commons as the Official Opposition.

Topp said the party would select an interim leader as soon as possible after consulting with caucusWednesday and bringing recommendations to the party'sfederal council Thursday morning.

He alsodefended Layton's recommendation ofTurmel over the party's twohigher-profile deputy leaders, Thomas Mulcairand Libby Davies, saying it's better not toforce the party to choose between the two MPs.

Topp noted that one of Layton's successes as leader has been to build a great team which includes Turmel, who previously headed the Public Service Alliance of Canada, the country's main union of federal workers, and who defeated Liberal incumbent Marcel Proulx in the last election.

Toppcalled Turmel "a very high-profile person in Quebec"and saidthe rest of the country will soon "get to know her well."

Reached by CBC News after Layton's announcement, Turmelsaid her party's "strong team" will be ready for when Parliament resumes.

"My biggest challenge I have right now is the support I will give to Mr. Layton and for him to focus on his health," she said.

"We have new MPs, that's true, but I've met all of them.They're great people and I know they will do everything they have to do to make sure that we prepare for the fall session."

Liveblog: Jack Layton's announcement

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