Jack Layton

Jack Layton was elected federal leader of the New Democratic Party at the party's convention in Toronto. He succeeded Alexa McDonough and began revitalizing the party's electoral fortunes, shifting it toward a more centrist and pragmatic approach.

Layton announced he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer but stated it was treatable and he would continue leading the NDP through the upcoming election. He underwent surgery and returned to work, maintaining his public schedule.

In the 2011 federal election, the NDP under Layton won 103 seats, becoming the Official Opposition for the first time in party history. The breakthrough was driven by the 'Orange Wave' in Quebec, where the NDP won 59 seats.

Layton announced he had been diagnosed with a new, aggressive form of cancer and would step down as NDP leader to focus on treatment. He died shortly after, on August 22, 2011, prompting a national outpouring of grief.