'I think he'll work his way through this,' MP Martin says of his leader Jack Layton

(News, The Sault Star, Feb 08, 2010)  While he's concerned about Jack Layton's health, Sault Ste. Marie MP Tony Martin backs the federal NDP leader's decision to keep working while fighting prostate cancer.

   Layton, 59, was diagnosed with the disease in December. He told his caucus, including Martin, about his diagnosis during a conference call Friday morning.

    "I was saddened by the news and certainly concerned," said Martin.

    "But just the way that he presented it, his voice, his rational for doing what he's doing, lifted all of us and actually took us all to another place collectively in support of him and in support of those things that he's willing to put his life on the line for now."

    The third-term MP has known Layton for about 20 years. The pair met when Martin was the Sault MPP and Layton was a Toronto city councillor.

    They "crossed paths" on social justice issues, such as homeless-ness.

    Martin is "100 per cent supportive" of Layton remaining as federal leader while he gets treatment.

    "That's typically him," said Martin.

    "He's very committed, very passionate about his job and the challenges facing the country at the moment."

    Layton didn't attend his first scheduled appearance since announcing he had cancer. He was supposed to attend a celebration for a local publication in Brampton at a Sikh place of worship Saturday.

    The Toronto-Danforth MP regularly visits the area. He was in Sault Ste. Marie in October and St. Joseph Island in May. In 2005, Layton squared off against Mayor John Rowswell in a soap box car duel at Civic Centre.

    "I think he'll be fine," said Martin.

    "I think he'll work his way through this. Every dark cloud presents a silver lining. I'm sure he'll find his and, at the end of the day, it'll be good."