Final farewell begins for Layton 2011, 2011, farewell, military, husband

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Final farewell begins for Layton
NDP leader's body to lie-in-state today
News1130 Staff/Canadian Press Aug 24, 2011 08:02:41 AM
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TORONTO (NEWS1130) - The body of NDP leader Jack Layton has arrived on Parliament Hill to lie in state. A grieving Olivia Chow accompanied her husband's casket as it was greeted by a piper skirling a lament.

New Democrat MPs and staff shared tearful hugs as the coffin arrived at the Peace Tower. A military honour guard in red tunics and bearskin hats stood by.

Several hundred people watched quietly as the cortege wheeled slowly up to the Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings, where Layton is to lie in state for two days. The first hours of the ceremony were reserved for family, colleagues and dignitaries, including Gov. Gen. David Johnston.

The hearse carrying his casket, which was draped in a Canadian flag, left Rosa Morrison Funeral Home in Toronto at around 4 a.m. EST..

A state funeral will be held on Saturday at 2 p.m. EST. The casket will make the kilometre-procession from City Hall to Roy Thomson Hall with a mounted patrol. The exact route has not been released at this time.

The service is expected to last about an hour. Former NDP leader Ed Broadbent has been announced as one of the pallbearers. Rev. Brent Hawkes with the Metropolitan Church will be presiding.

After the funeral, Layton's family will spend an hour at the reception and then drive to a private internment at an unknown location in Toronto. Layton will be cremated.

The NDP says, in classic Layton style, there will be unique elements to his funeral, the details of which will be released at a later date.

Some NDP MPs are going through extraordinary measures to get to Parliament Hill. Chris Charlton is coming in from Germany and Nikki Ashton is cutting her honeymoon short to fly in from Greece.

State Funeral

A state funeral is traditionally offered only to current and former governors general, current and former prime ministers and current members of cabinet; however, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Stephen Harper says the PM offered Layton's wife MP Olivia Chow the option of the state funeral and she accepted.

On Monday evening, Harper confirmed the state funeral through Twitter and added that "Canadians will have an opportunity to salute Jack Layton's contribution to public life."

The Layton family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the recently-announced Broadbent Institute, a left-leaning think-tank. Donations can be made online by clicking here.

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The hearse carrying the casket of NDP Leader Jack Layton left Rosar-Morrison Funeral Home in Toronto at around 4 a.m. on Aug. 24, headed for Ottawa where he will lie in state

A collection of flowers, notes, oranges and other items were placed outside Jack Layton's constituency office on Broadview Avenue in Toronto

Charismatic, popular and well-spoken, NDP Leader Jack Layton was a popular figure in Canadian politics for more than twenty years. The politician passed away Monday morning at 4:45 a.m.

Mustache memorial for Jack Layton
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Layton's death

Layton died Monday morning at the age of 61, following the charismatic politician's second bout with cancer. A statement from Layton's family issued Monday indicates the well-liked political leader passed away peacefully at his home.

"We deeply regret to inform you that The Honourable Jack Layton, leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada, passed away at 4:45 am today, Monday August 22. He passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family and loved ones. Details of Mr. Layton's funeral arrangements will be forthcoming."

Layton's death comes just shy of a month after he made a public appearance to announce he was once again battling cancer. During the press conference, the usually energetic leader looked gaunt and sick. Speaking to the crowd, Layton said although he had beaten his prostate cancer, he had been diagnosed with a second type of cancer and on the advice of his doctors, he was going to focus on treatment and recovery.

"I'm going to fight this cancer now, so that I can be back to fight for families when parliament resumes," Layton said.

The second bout with cancer came only shortly after Layton managed to win the position of leader of the Official Opposition in the latest election.

Condolences followed Layton's death almost immediately, with everyone from the prime minister to several former mayors of Toronto chiming in on the late politicians life.

A candlelight vigil was held at the Vancouver Art Gallery Monday night

Jack Layton's casket arrives in the foyer at Parliament Hill

Jack Layton's casket arrives in the foyer at Parliament Hill