Jack Layton

Layton in 2011, photo By Matt Jiggins [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Birth Name: John Gilbert Layton

Date of Birth: July 18, 1950

Place of Birth: Montréal, Québec, Canada

Date of Death: August 22, 2011

Place of Death: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Ethnicity: English, with some German and Irish

Jack Layton was a Canadian politician and academic. He was Leader of the New Democratic Party, from January 25, 2003 to August 22, 2011, his death; and, as such, Leader of the Opposition, from May 2, 2011 to August 22, 2011. He was also a Member of Parliament for Toronto-Danforth (ON), from June 28, 2004 to August 22, 2011.

Jack was the son of Doris Elizabeth (Steeves) and Robert Layton (Robert Edward John Layton), a Progressive Conservative politician, who was a Member of Parliament for Lachine/Lachine—Lac-Saint-Louis (QC), from September 4, 1984 to October 25, 1993, as well as Minister of State (Mines), from September 17, 1984 to June 29, 1986. He was raised in Hudson, a mostly Anglophone Montréal suburb.

Jack was married to politician Olivia Chow, until his death. He had two children, including politician Mike Layton, with his former wife Sally Halford. Olivia Chow has been Mayor of Toronto, since July 12, 2023.

Jack’s paternal grandfather was Gilbert Layton (the son of Philip Edward David Layton and Alice Marion Gilbert). Jack’s grandfather Gilbert was born in Montréal, Québec, Canada, and was a businessperson and Union Nationale politician, who was Minister without portfolio, in Québec, from August 26, 1936 to October 5, 1939. Philip was born in Northamptonshire, England, the son of Philip Layton and Fanny. Alice was also English, and was the daughter of Samuel Gilbert and Elizabeth.

Jack’s paternal grandmother was Norah Lestelle England (the daughter of Arthur John England and Florence Louise Grimmett).

Jack’s maternal grandfather was John Trites Rowe Steeves (the son of John Trites Steeves and Laura Rowe). Jack’s grandfather John was born in Hillsborough, Albert County, New Brunswick, Canada. Jack’s great-grandfather John was the son of Christian Albertson Steeves and Martha Ann; John was a nephew of William Steeves, a Father of Canadian Confederation; who was a merchant, lumberman, and politician, and a Senator for New Brunswick, from October 23, 1867 to December 9, 1873.

Jack’s maternal grandmother was Constance Burgoyne Halpin (the daughter of Claude Stuart Burgoyne Halpin and Rosa Belle Powell). Constance was American, from Richmond, Virginia. Claude was the son of Irish parents, William Henry Halpin and Elizabeth Gaston Rogan, from Londonderry. Rosa was the daughter of William Henry Powell and Mary Eliza Rider.

Source: Genealogy of Jack Layton – http://www.geni.com