Page "Jack Layton" Paragraph 19

At York and Ryerson, Layton developed close links with a number of Toronto figures including John Sewell and David Crombie.

He was first elected to Toronto City Council in 1982, in a surprise upset against incumbent Gordon Chong.

He quickly became one of the most outspoken members of council, and a leader of the left wing.

He was one of the most vocal opponents of the massive SkyDome project, and an early advocate for rights for AIDS patients.

In 1984, he was fined for trespassing when he handed out leaflets at the Toronto Eaton Centre during a strike by Eaton's staff, but the charge was later thrown out on freedom of speech grounds.

Layton was also one of the few opponents to Toronto's bid for the 1996 Summer Olympics.

In 1985, he moved to the Metropolitan Toronto council, in the first direct elections for members of that body.

In the 1988 municipal elections, Layton traded places with city council ally Dale Martin, with Martin going to Metro and Layton returning to Toronto City Council.

Layton was easily elected in a contest with former high school teacher Lois MacMillan-Walker.

The election was a major victory for Layton as the reformist coalition of which he was the de facto head gained control of City Council, the first time in city history a coalition of New Democrats and independents controlled council.