In a surprise press conference today, Jack Layton announced he’s temporarily stepping aside as leader of the Official Opposition and the New Democratic Party to focus on fighting cancer. Layton was first diagnosed with prostate cancer February 5, 2010, but doctors at Princess Margaret Hospital found a new cancer last week. “I will be taking a temporary leave of absence as leader of the New Democratic Party,” Layton said from prepared remarks. His voice sounded ragged and less energetic than it has in recent months, when the NDP swept Quebec and gained Official Opposition status. He said he hopes to be back for the sitting of Parliament on September 19. Layton recommended Hull-Aylmer MP Nycole Turmel to take the position of interim leader. Turmel won her seat in Gatineau last year, breaking a Liberal stronghold. Prior to elected politics she was a union organizer and was the national president of Public Service Alliance of Canada. NDP President Brian Topp said the choice came, in part, because Turmel was unanimously elected chair of the NDP caucus. The decision is somewhat surprising, given the high profile of Layton’s Quebec lieutenant, former provincial cabinet minister Thomas Mulcair. Layton did not specify where or what kind of cancer he has been diagnosed with. His wife, Trinty-Spadina MP Olivia Chow, joined him at the press conference. Mike Layton, his son and the councillor for Ward 19 Trinity-Spadina, was not at the press conference.