(9 photos) Canada's power couple takes Algoma getaway

Canada's ultimate power couple, federal NDP leader Jack Layton and Toronto City Councillor Olivia Chow, slipped through town today on their way to a romantic Easter getaway at a secluded cottage on the Montreal River.

The pair stopped at Louis' Place Family Restaurant on Great Northern Road for brunch, spent some time with local candidate Tony Martin and party faithful, then did a little shameless hyping for SooToday.com (see Jack's über-cool jacket).

The party leader isn't big on predictions, but when pressed by reporters today to say how he thinks Martin will fare against Progressive Conservative Cameron Ross and presumed Liberal candidate Carmen Provenzano, Layton predicted Algoma will be the first riding you'll hear from when final election-night results are announced for Northern Ontario.

Asked why, out of all the tourist destinations in Canada, he chose Montreal River, Layton said Olivia had been there some time before with some of her friends.

"Olivia is a sculptor. She has a tactile connection with stone and mud," the NDP leader said.

Layton added that should the New Democrats find themselves in power, Tony Martin would definitely be cabinet material.

To see who was at today's Good Friday brunch with Olivia and Jack, please click here.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: Being photographed in the SooToday.com news jacket is a privilege reserved only for prime ministers, federal party leaders, and others of similar standing and import. Applicants should apply in writing to our mailing address, found elsewhere on this web site. On a really quiet day, we might be persuaded to let Paris Hilton wear it. Justin Timberlake need not apply.)