Robert Layton (politician)

For the English special effects designer, see R. T. Layton.

The Honourable Robert Layton PC
Minister of State for Mines
In office 1984–1986
Member of Parliament for Lachine
In office 1984–1988
Preceded by	Roderick Blaker
Succeeded by	Riding abolished
Member of Parliament for Lachine—Lac-Saint-Louis
In office 1988–1993
Preceded by	Riding established
Succeeded by	Clifford Lincoln
Personal details
Born	Robert Edward John Layton (1925-12-25)December 25, 1925 Montreal, Quebec
Died	May 9, 2002(2002-05-09) (aged 76) Montreal, Quebec
Resting place	Wyman United Church, Hudson, Quebec
Nationality	Canadian
Political party	Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
Spouse	Doris Elizabeth Steeves
Children	Jack Layton
Residence(s)	Montreal, Quebec
Alma mater	McGill University
Occupation	Politician
Profession	business consultant

Robert Edward John "Bob" Layton, PC (December 25, 1925 – May 9, 2002) was a Canadian politician.

Early career

Robert Layton was born in Montreal, the son of Norah Lestelle (née England) and former Quebec cabinet minister Gilbert Layton. He graduated from McGill University in 1947. He spent much of his professional career running an engineering consulting business in Montreal, Quebec.

He became a political activist for the Liberal Party of Canada, running unsuccessfully in 1972 for the party's nomination for a seat in the House of Commons of Canada for the riding of Vaudreuil.

Member of Parliament

In the 1980s, he joined the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada, and was elected to the Federal Parliament in the 1984 election from the Quebec riding of Lachine, covering suburban communities on the west end of the island of Montreal. He was elected in the general elections of 1984 and 1988, and served as Minister of State for Mines in the federal cabinet of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney from 1984 to 1986, after which he served as National Caucus Chairman until 1993 when he decided to retire from politics after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Family

Layton married Doris Elizabeth Steeves, a grand-niece of Father of Confederation William Steeves.

Robert Layton had four children (three sons and a daughter) as well as six grandchildren. His eldest son, Jack Layton, became a leader of the federal New Democratic Party and Leader of the Official Opposition in the House of Commons. His other sons are Rob Layton Jr. and Dave Layton. He is the grandfather of Toronto City Councillor Mike Layton.

Layton died in Toronto and is buried at the Layton family plot in Hudson, Quebec. Some of his son Jack's ashes were scattered at the family plot.

External links

• Robert Layton (politician) – Parliament of Canada biography