Truemors
Born in Montreal, Quebec in 1950, New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton studied political science for years, becoming a professor while getting involved in public service.
In 2003 he became leader of the new Democrats, which has seen various ups and downs over the last few years:
Layton was born in Montreal and reared in nearby Hudson, Quebec, a comfortable and largely anglophone community.[3] He was elected student council president of his high school, and his yearbook predicted that he would become a politician.[4] He studied political science at McGill University, and in 1969, at age 19, he married his high school sweetheart Sally Halford, with whom he had two children, Sarah and Mike.[5] Layton and Halford's marriage ultimately ended in 1983 after 14 years.In 1970, the family moved to Toronto where Layton went to York University to obtain his Ph.D. in political science. Layton then became a professor at Ryerson University.[6] He also became a prominent activist for a variety of causes. He has written several books, including Homelessness: The Making and Unmaking of a Crisis and, more recently, a book on general public policy, Speaking Out.
The NDP website has a list of his accomplishments as one of the leaders of one of the opposition parties:
Election 2006 returned Layton to Ottawa with an even stronger team that has been the real opposition to Stephen Harper. While the numerically stronger Liberals rubber-stamped the Conservative agenda by skipping votes, Layton's New Democrats held Harper to account. On the jobs and affordability crisis. On health care wait times. On global warming. On the issues that really matter to you.In June, over Harper's objections, Jack Layton made history again. By passing Layton's Climate Change Accountability Act, the House of Commons became the world's first legislature to adopt science-based targets to cut climate-changing emissions— by 80% before 2050.
Interesting timeline of Layton's political life, as well as a mini-biography:
Member of Parliament for Toronto—Danforth, assumed office in 2004 federal election. Jack Layton became the leader of the New Democratic Party in January 25, 2003 in an open convention, he was preceded by Alexa McDonough.
Earlier story on the NDP's Platform:
We'll stop tax giveaways to corporations that don't need them, or who ship our jobs overseas.We'll support companies that provide training to workers here. We'll invest with companies that are innovating in the new energy economy, and creating new green collar jobs for Canadians.
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