OTTAWA-Jack Layton will be honoured with a rare state funeral.
It is traditionally offered only to current and former governors general, current and former prime ministers and current members of cabinet.
But a spokesman for Stephen Harper says the prime minister exercised his discretion and offered Layton’s wife, Olivia Chow, a state funeral which she accepted.
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The funeral service is expected to be held Saturday at Toronto’s Roy Thomson Hall.
The 61-year-old leader of the federal New Democratic Party passed away early Monday surrounded by family and loved ones.
Within moments of the family’s statement, Canadians began leaving flowers and notes outside Layton’s Toronto home.
The flag was lowered on Parliament Hill and other buildings across the country.
Layton’s family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the recently announced Broadbent Institute, a left-leaning think-tank.
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