TORONTO - Family and friends of former federal NDP leader Jack Layton will host a virtual event next month to mark what would have been his 71st birthday. The event will involve a concert on Aug. 22 with appearances by Steven Page, William Prince, Donovan Woods, Raffi, Rupi Kaur, David Suzuki, Sarah Harmer and Tim Baker. The project was launched in June with an announcement revealing that applications had opened for a new academic scholarship and two new awards to be given out in Layton’s name. Just a little over three months after that historic electoral breakthrough, Layton, who had previously battled prostate cancer, died after being diagnosed with a new cancer. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 18, 2021.

Source: thestar July 18, 2021 17:26 UTC