Jack Layton steps down due to cancer

Jack Layton has stepped down as leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada. He made the announcement yesterday in a public address.

His voice was substantially more weary and raspy than during the election campaign that saw the NDP improve their seat total from 37 to 102.

The reason is because doctors have diagnosed him with a new form of cancer. They recommended that he step down until he it better.

In the mean-time the NDP will elect an interim leader. Hull/Aylmer MP Nycole Turmel is recommended by Layton to lead the party until he returns.