Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he's ``deeply saddened'' to learn of the new illness while Liberal Leader Bob Rae applauds Layton's courage.
Layton is taking a leave of absence as party leader in order to fight the disease.
Rob Moir ran for the NDP in Saint John during the last federal election and came in second for the party's best showing ever. He doesn't think this will curtail the party's momentum as there is a lot of strength in the party with a lot of young people eager to learn.
The N-D-P's federal council could choose an interim leader on Thursday.
