Date set to pick Layton's successor
[attach]5297[/attach]New Democrats in Toronto–Danforth are set to choose a successor to the late Jack Layton at a nomination meeting scheduled for Jan. 9.
Party members will be nominating a candidate to run in the upcoming, but yet uncalled, federal byelection. Under election rules, a byelection must be called within six months of the seat being declared vacant.
The Toronto–Danforth seat in Parliament was left vacant when Layton, longtime MP for Toronto–Danforth and leader of the NDP died in late August after a battle with cancer.
Candidates vying for the nomination include Justin Duncan, an activist and lawyer, Claire Prashaw, Layton’s former constituency assistant, and Craig Scott, a professor at Osgoode Law School.
Layton’s wife, MP Olivia Chow, and his son, Ward 19 councillor Mike Layton are scheduled to attend the nomination meeting.
At the time of his death, Layton was also leader of the Opposition, having led his party to historic heights during May’s federal election. An NDP leadership election to replace him as party leader is scheduled for March 24.
The NDP Toronto–Danforth nomination meeting will be held at the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto, 115 Simpson Ave. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Registration is at 6 p.m.
