NDP leader’s son makes foray into politics

Though Jack Layton is firmly entrenched in federal politics, the Layton family is planning a return to City Hall.

Mike Layton, Jack’s son, unveiled his plans to run in this fall’s municipal election on Friday, March 5 amid a throng of supporters at Bar Italia.

He decided to run in Trinity-Spadina when the current longtime councillor, deputy mayor Joe Pantalone, decided to run for mayor.

Layton spoke of a platform focusing on ensuring local residents have safe places to live, strong neighbourhoods, successful local businesses and a green economy.

“I want to make sure Toronto is a place people want to live, and not just in their homes,” he said. “We need good roads that work for transit, bikes and people and we want the environmental side of things to continue to work.”

Though his family is well-versed in politics – Jack Layton was first elected to city council in 1982 and has served as leader of the federal NDP since 2003, while his stepmother Olivia Chow was a councillor from 1991 to 2005 and currently serves as MP for Trinity-Spadina – Mike Layton said his decision to run came about after some fairly intense thought.

“I did a lot of soul-searching and talked to as many community leaders and advocates as I could,” he said. “After that, it just felt like the right time.”

Though this is the 31-year-old Layton’s first foray into politics, his resume is not short on impressive credentials. He was one of the key people in setting up the Green Energy Act Alliance and serves as deputy director of Environmental Defence, both of which work toward green solutions for a healthier society.

Despite never having run for politics, he also has experience working on campaigns, most notably those of his well-known father. He said that pedigree will help, but added he hopes to be elected on his own merits, not on his family name.

“The people who are actually going to vote are the people of Trinity-Spadina,” he said. “I’ve been out there, and I’ll continue to go out there, talking to the various groups and people to try to understand the issues as well as I can.”

Layton said that, if elected, he will listen to voters first and foremost in helping to steer the direction of the city. With parts of the community undergoing fairly sweeping changes, he said he wants to preserve the elements that truly make it a ward worth living in.

“I want to make sure there’s a sense of community in the newer areas while keeping that sense of community in the more established neighbourhoods,” he said.

With Pantalone opting to run for mayor, the race in Ward 19 is wide open. Other declared candidates in the ward include community activist Himy Syed, cycling advocate Derek Chadbourne, Karen Sun of the Chinese Canadian National Council, Joshua Shang and Jim Likourezos.

– Justin Skinner