Layton endorsed Quebec M-P Nycole Turmel as his preferred replacement while he takes a medical leave to fight a new cancer.
Turmel is a former president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, which represents workers in the federal civil service.
Sources close to Layton say he chose Turmel because she's bilingual, experienced and unlikely to ruffle many feathers.
Rob Moir ran in Saint John for the NDP in May's federal election finishing second which surprised alot of people. It was the best showing yet for the party locally.
Moir tells CHSJ News if anyone can beat another bout of cancer, it would be Layton. Even though he looks frail and his voice is raspy, Layton vows he'll return to Parliament in September.
