In 2011, Layton brought the party to incredible new heights. Voters in the May 2 election elected a record-breaking 103 NDP MPs to represent every part of the country. Layton became leader of the largest Official Opposition in 31 years—and the first formed by New Democrats. With 59 Quebec MPs, Layton’s team emerged not only as a credible government-in-waiting but as a force for Canadian unity. A native Montrealer, Layton later moved to Toronto to complete his Masters and PhD. He taught in all of Toronto’s universities, and served nearly 20 years as a city councillor in Toronto. He also served as President of the Federation of Canadians Municipalities where he forged a united and powerful lobby that led to a new national focus on the state of Canada’s municipalities and the services they deliver. Layton was elected MP in Toronto-Danforth in the 2004 federal election which saw the NDP’s national vote climb by more than one million votes. Months after taking his place in Parliament, Layton displayed his remarkable ability to get things done for families. By rewriting the 2005 budget, Layton successfully diverted $4.6-billion in corporate tax giveaways to important priorities like affordable housing, training and public transit. On August 22, 2011, Layton died after a long battle with cancer. His memory lives on in every person who believes in a better tomorrow, and every person who believes we can make our great country even better. As Jack famously said, “don’t let them tell you it can’t be done!”
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