Former NDP leader Alexa McDonough says she supports the proposal to appoint rookie MP Nycole Turmel as interim leader while Jack Layton is away from the job.
The NDP caucus met in Ottawa on Wednesday, for the first part of a two-day process that party president Brian Topp said is necessary to appoint an interim leader.
Turmel, a member of Parliament from the Quebec riding of Hull-Aylmer, received unanimous support to act as Layton's stand-in while he undergoes treatment for cancer.
In an interview with CTV News Channel Wednesday evening, McDonough described Turmel as "a new member of Parliament, but she's no rookie."
"She was president of the New Democratic Party for several years when I was leader," said McDonough, who headed the party from 1995 to 2003.
"She was one of the factors in really the incredible confidence that Quebecers today, in the most recent election, have expressed in the New Democratic Party.
"So she's absolutely up to the task."
Earlier Wednesday, Turmel told reporters that she is willing to take on the job as long as the federal NDP council supports her nomination.
The party's federal council is due to meet Thursday in Ottawa to render a decision on the matter, Topp told reporters.
"We will then, one hopes, have an interim leader in place by the end of the day tomorrow," he said.
Layton, who endorsed Turmel as interim leader, spoke to the NDP caucus via telephone during Wednesday's meeting.
Members of the caucus said Layton inspired them with a message of hope.
Hamilton MP David Christopherson said Layton is optimistic and then he's ready for the fight of his life, round two.
Turmel was elected to the House of Commons for the first time during the May election. But the Quebec MP already chairs the NDP caucus and has years of experience as a union leader.
Canadians reach out to Layton
Layton announced Monday that he would be taking a leave of absence after doctors discovered he had a second cancer-related illness.
News of his latest health problems shocked the country and has prompted thousands of Canadians to send the NDP leader messages of support.
Kathleen Monk, a spokesperson for the NDP leader, said Canadians had been calling, emailing and writing to Layton to express their condolences for what he is going through.
"Over the last 24 hours, we have received 10,000 messages through our party website and 4,000 on Layton's Facebook," Monk said Tuesday, noting that the NDP leader had received more than 2,000 emails as well.
On Twitter, Layton has said he is appreciative of the support and well wishes that have been sent his way.
"Thank you. I will fight this -- and beat it," Layton said.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper said that "all Canadians are behind him and his fight for his health and his recovery," and that he hopes to see Layton back to work as soon as possible.
Layton said he intends to be in the House of Commons for the start of the legislative session in the fall.
Turmel said Wednesday that the party wants "to give him the time to rest, to come back in September."
When Layton announced his plans to take a leave of absence, he did not identify the illness he is suffering from. But he said it was a "non-prostate cancer" that he is battling.
The long-time NDP leader was previously diagnosed with prostate cancer, though Layton said Monday that his fight against that illness "is going very well."
Layton became the Official Opposition leader earlier this year when the New Democrats rode an unprecedented wave of support in Quebec and unseated the Liberals as the No. 2 party in the House of Commons.
He has led the federal New Democrats since 2003.
With files from The Canadian Press
