Jack Layton, the New Democratic Party leader who led his party to Official Opposition status in this year’s federal election, has died after a battle with cancer. He was 61.

"We deeply regret to inform you that The Honourable Jack Layton, leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada, passed away at 4:45 am today, Monday, August 22," said a statement from his wife Olivia Chow and his children Sarah and Michael Layton. "He passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family and loved ones. Details of Mr. Layton’s funeral arrangements will be forthcoming."

Layton announced July 25 that he would take a leave of absence as party leader to fight a second, and evidently much more serious, bout of cancer

“Your support and well wishes are so appreciated. Thank you,” Layton, posted to the social media site Twitter. “I will fight this and beat it."

It ended up being the last public announcement he would make in his long political career, which saw him evolve from campus activist to rabble-rousing left-wing municipal councilor to the most electorally successful leader of the federal New Democrats in history.



The Star's Richard Brennan reports on acting Liberal Leader Bob Rae's response:

“Like all Canadians, Arlene and I are deeply saddened by the death of Jack Layton. He was a friend of ours for many years, and despite our political differences his decency, good humour and extraordinary resilience earned our deep admiration. We remained friends throughout our political lives," Rae said in a statement.

"On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our Parliamentary Caucus, I express our deep condolences to Olivia and Jack's family, as well as to his colleagues and friends in the New Democratic Party. He leaves a powerful legacy of a commitment to social justice in his work in Toronto as a city councillor and as a national leader."

Rae recalled late Stanley Knowles' eulogy for former NDP Leader David Lewis when he died.

"When David Lewis passed away Stanley Knowles ended his eulogy with the words 'shalom chaver, shalom.' Peace, brother, peace."