Layton predicts Tony Martin victory

Tony Martin will be Sault Ste. Marie's new Member of Parliament following Monday's election, federal NDP Leader Jack Layton told an enthusiastic crowd of supporters today at Algoma's Water Tower Inn.

"He's my kind of Martin," Layton quipped, contrasting the veteran former provincial representative with Prime Minister Paul Martin, whom Layton accused of a lengthy litany of broken promises.

"It's a veritage Trans-Canada Highway of Liberal letdowns that we're facing," Layton said.

It was the NDP leader's second visit to Sault Ste. Marie during the current campaign.

Martin and Conservative Party leader Stephen Harper have each visited once.

Layton and wife Olivia Chow also spent the Easter break at Montreal River, dropping into Louis' Place Family Restaurant on Great Northern Road for a brunch session with local party faithful.

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"Sault Ste. Marie was the first of the [Northern Ontario] ridings that I knew were going to go to the NDP," Layton said, citing the local candidate's integrity.

"Who's going to protect our Medicare system from Paul Martin?" Layton asked.

"It won't be Paul Martin. It'll be Tony Martin and the NDP."

With the election set for Monday, Layton said "we're going to go without sleep over the next three days."

"Now is the time to pull out all the stops," he told supporters.

The NDP currently has considerable momentum in Northern Ontario, Layton said, predicting similar victories in Timmins and Sudbury-area ridings.