"NDP Leader Jack Layton announced on Friday that he has prostate cancer, but said he will not step aside as leader as he battles the disease," reports the CBC. "This year, more than 25,000 Canadian men are going to be diagnosed with treatable prostate cancer and I recently learned that I’m one of them," Layton, 59, said from his Toronto riding on Friday. "It’s the same kind of cancer that my dad was diagnosed with 17 years ago. "He, like the overwhelming majority of Canadian men with prostate cancer, fought it and won. His treatments were successful and I intend to bring to this battle the same sense of determination and optimism that he did. "Like my dad, I'm a fighter and I'm going to beat this," Layton said. The politician said his treatment plan is underway and that he's "feeling good." READ MORE

The NDP party have lead the way in fighting for LGBT equality in Canada. Jack Layton became leader of the federal NDP in 2003 and was elected to the House of Commons in 2004. Layton is credited with reviving the NDP as evident by his party gaining eight seats during the 2008 election; raising its total to 37.

I have not always agreed with the man but I do wish him a speedy recovery.