OTTAWA — A quick look at NDP Leader Jack Layton:
Born: July 18, 1950, in Montreal.
Education: BA, McGill University; MA, York University; PhD, York University.
Early career: Tenured professor, Ryerson Polytechnic in Toronto, 1974; also taught at York University and at University of Toronto.
Politics: Entered politics 1982 as Toronto city councillor; president of Federation of Canadian Municipalities; elected leader of federal NDP, January 2003; won seat in Toronto-Danforth in June 2004 federal election and has held it since.
Family: Wife Olivia Chow is former Toronto city councillor and now New Democrat MP for Trinity-Spadina in Toronto; two children, Sarah and Mike, from a previous marriage.
Quote: “Canadians deserve a prime minister they can trust, a prime minister who will focus on the priorities of today’s families, a prime minister who is really ready to roll up the sleeves, put the partisanship aside and work with others to get the job done.”