TORONTO – NDP leader Jack Layton has begun receiving treatment for prostate cancer but will continue as party leader, he announced on Friday in Toronto.
"This year more than 25,000 Canadian men are going to be diagnosed with treatable prostate cancer. And I recently learned that I’m one of them," Layton, 59, told reporters during a brief appearance at an Estonian meeting hall in his home riding of Toronto Danforth, which he will continue to represent in Parliament.
"I’m a fighter and I’m going to beat this. My treatment plan is now under way and everything is under way. I’m feeling good," he continued.
His wife, Olivia Chow, the NDP MP for the nearby Toronto riding of Trinity Spadina, was at his side.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who was in Saskatchewan on Friday, wished his political opponent well in his fight against cancer.
"It’s a funny business this," Harper said at a short news conference in Saskatoon. "You do battle with a guy for many many years but . . . you also develop very close relationships with some of your counterparts."
Harper said he and his wife, Laureen, have developed a close relationship with Layton and Chow.
"I know many people who have faced this challenge and have overcome it," he said. "I look forward to doing political battle with him for many years to come."
Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff issued a news release wishing Layton a speedy recovery.
"Jack Layton has fought many battles in his life, but none will be as demanding as the fight he now faces," Ignatieff said. "We all know how combative Jack is and we know that he will face this challenge with his usual determination. I wish him strength and courage on the road to recovery, and I know all Canadians stand behind him in this fight."
Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe also had a message of encouragement for Layton.
"The dynamism and determination you’ve always shown in your work in Ottawa will contribute, I’m sure, to your speedy recovery," Duceppe said in a press release, extending his best wishes on behalf of his MPs and his wife.
Karl Belanger, Layton’s spokesman, said his boss has no plans to curtail his responsibilities, and will adopt a take-it-as-it-comes approach to juggling his cancer fight with his political duties.
Layton joked he looked forward to perhaps catching more of the Vancouver Olympics on TV while he convalesces.
The news comes with Parliament prorogued until March 3, which the NDP has protested.
Layton said his late father, politician Robert Layton, fought prostate cancer and won.
Obituaries following his death in 2002 at the age of 76 said the elder Layton, a Progressive Conservative MP, died of complications from Parkinson’s disease and prostate cancer.
"I intend to bring to this battle the same sense of determination and optimism as he did. I’ll have his genes on my side as well," Layton said.
NDP caucus members were told of the illness Friday morning.
Belanger said the diagnosis was made in December and treatment started within the last few weeks at an undisclosed Toronto medical facility.
Layton’s prognosis, the variety of prostate cancer from which he is suffering and the form of treatment have not been revealed.
Layton has been the leader of the federal NDP since 2003.
In a leadership review held last August, nearly 90 per cent of delegates voted against holding a leadership convention to replace Layton.
A former member of Toronto city council, Layton was elected MP for Toronto-Danforth in 2004.
Chow underwent successful treatment for thyroid cancer that same year.
© Copyright (c) Canwest News Service
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