NDP leader Jack Layton, who passed away yesterday morning after a battle with cancer, will be honoured with a state funeral on Saturday in Toronto. State funerals are only automatic in cases of current and former governors general, current and former prime ministers, and sitting members of cabinet; Prime Minister Stephen Harper thought it appropriate to offer a state funeral for Layton, an offer which Layton’s family accepted. The government protocol office is working with the NDP and Layton’s family on details. The last state funeral was on July 3, 2009, for former governor general Roméo LeBlanc. It was held in Memramcook, N.B.
