It’s been almost 10-years since Canada lost then-NDP Leader Jack Layton to cancer.

Now Layton’s family and friends are launching the “Layton Legacy” project to mark his untimely death at the age of 61.

Today’s launch will officially open applications for a new academic scholarship and two new awards to be given out in Layton’s name.

Despite campaigning with a cane after surgery to mend a hip fracture, Layton led the NDP to its best showing ever in the 2011 federal election sweeping Quebec and vaulting the party from its perennial third-or fourth-place finish into Official Opposition status.

On August 22nd, 2011, shortly after that breakthrough, Layton died of cancer.