Jack Layton's casket arrived on Parliament Hill this morning where he will lie in state in the foyer of the House of Commons until being moved late Thursday to Toronto's City Hall for Friday and Saturday. Layton was a city councillor in Toronto from 1982 to 1991.

His funeral is set for 2 pm Saturday in Toronto's Roy Thomson Hall. It is unclear at this time whether or not the service will be televised.

In tributes elsewhere in the country, the CN Tower in Toronto will glow yellow on Saturday, and the flag over the legislature buidling in Saskatoon will be at half mast from Wednesday through Saturday. In lieu of flowers, the NDP is asking that donations be made to the Broadbent Institute. The Institute is a new think tank announced at the party's convention in June, named after former leader, Ed Broadbent.

On Tuesday, many NDP MPs held open houses and provided books of condolence for their constituents to sign. A virtual Book of Condolence is also available on the NDP's website.

“I was saddened today to hear that Jack Layton lost his battle with cancer,” said Premier Stelmach. “Jack was an enthusiastic and passionate politician who held strongly to his convictions during his long career in public life. On behalf of my wife Marie, my thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Olivia Chow, and the entire family during this difficult time.”

In Airdrie, MP Blake Richards said this of Layton:

 

 

 

Layton's last letter to Canadians was released the day after he died. Read the full letter on CBC's website.