LAYTON CONFIDENT OF WIN IN TOUGH RIDING

Vancouver Centre Candidate Already Influencing Policy, Ndp Leader Says

New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton hailed his Vancouver Centre
candidate on Thursday as someone already having an impact on national
issues, but made no mention of another candidate who has resigned
amidst controversy.

"Here's someone who's had an influence on foreign policy already in
this country by charging some of the most important discussions about
northern sovereignty, climate change, the law of war," Layton said of
professor and author Michael Byers during a campaign stop in Yaletown.

"If you've had a chance to read his books, they're inspiring. He's
building on an optimistic scenario in Canada."

During the rally at the Hamilton Street Grill, Layton did not mention
Dana Larsen, who resigned Wednesday as the NDP's West
Vancouver-Sunshine Coast candidate after controversy arose over his
connections to the Vancouver Seed Bank.

Larsen co-founded and formerly managed the seed bank, which sells coca
and marijuana seeds.

Earlier Thursday, videos surfaced showing Larsen lighting joints,
taking LSD and driving while "flying," as he said in one video.

"I don't know why in this case we didn't find these things, but
obviously, with these problems, he has decided not to run, and we've
accepted that," Layton said at an earlier campaign stop in Winnipeg.

Larsen was acclaimed the candidate in the riding more than a year ago.
Gerry Scott, campaign manager for the NDP national campaign in B.C.,
said the party was not aware of Larsen's activities until they were
revealed by the media.

Larsen was a co-founder of the B.C. Marijuana party, a former editor
of Cannabis Culture Magazine, and is a friend of Marc Emery, the
B.C.-based "Prince of Pot."

At his Vancouver stop, Layton said he's optimistic the NDP can take
Vancouver Centre, a key riding with four high-profile candidates,
including incumbent Liberal Hedy Fry, Conservative Lorne Mayencourt
and the Green's Adriane Carr. Fry defeated former high-profile New
Democrat Svend Robinson by nearly 9,000 votes in the 2006 election.

"We've had particular success in central-city ridings right across the
country," said Layton. "As our party has grown I think you'll see
that's where it does grow."

Byers, a University of B.C. professor, echoed the NDP's messages of
fighting for health care, families and affordable housing, and against
homelessness.

"We all know that it was the failure of political will on the part of
the federal Liberals and the federal Conservatives that made this
happen," said Byers. "And we're going to do better."