Layton greeted by large crowd in Burnaby, dismisses allegation about

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Layton greeted by large crowd in Burnaby, dismisses allegation


BURNABY, B.C. — Jack Layton continued to dismiss allegations about him by a Toronto newspaper Saturday about a visit he made to a massage business 15 years ago. At the same time, Ontario Provincial Police opened an investigation into whether evidence was leaked about the incident.


The NDP leader told reporters after a campaign event in Burnaby that one night in 1996, he went for a massage at a "community clinic" near his home around 9 p.m., following a workout. Layton was a Toronto city councillor at the time.


"The police advised that it wasn't the greatest place to be and I left and I never went back," he said Saturday.


Layton indicated the business was new to the area and that he'd never been there before.


He and wife Olivia Chow have called the Toronto Sun's report a "smear" job, just days before an election. Layton suggested the report was "the kind of politics Canadians don't appreciate."


Currently enjoying a huge bump in the polls, Layton said he wasn't worried news reports might tarnish his character.


"Here we are, working to bring change to Ottawa and offer a real alternative in this election," he said.


At the Burnaby rally, an overflow crowd of some 2,000 packed a large movie studio to cheer Layton on as he wrapped up his Western Canada tour before Monday's vote.


Earlier in the day, Ontario Provincial Police confirmed they are investigating whether evidence from Toronto police was leaked.


Toronto Police requested the OPP investigation because the Sun said its story was based on a police officer's notes about the incident with Layton. The officer, now allegedly retired, has not been named.


The Sun alleges that in 1996, Layton was found by police at a Chinatown massage parlour that earlier had been raided as a suspected bawdy house. Friday night, Chow said her husband went for a routine massage, of which she was aware at the time.


The newspaper said Toronto police had not charged Layton with anything.


"Toronto Police did request that we conduct a criminal breach of trust investigation into the disclosure of information," OPP spokesman, Insp. Dave Ross said Saturday.


Ross could not say how long the investigation would take.


With files from Amy Minsky

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APRIL 30 - NDP leader Jack Layton greets supporters while holding an election campaign rally in Burnaby, British Columbia


Jack Layton says a media report suggesting he was found in a Toronto massage parlour in 1996 is an example of what turns people off Canadian politics.