Layton family reacts to Jack’s ‘Newsmaker of the Year’ honour

To no one's surprise, Jack Layton was named 'Newsmaker of the Year' by Canadian editors and news directors participating in an annual survey by the Canadian Press.

The late NDP leader, who died of cancer just months after propelling his party to the rank of official Opposition, was also the top newsmaker according to Yahoo! Canada's online reader poll.

For Jack's family, the year-end recognition is a special honour.

"I am honored and proud of all that Jack accomplished, particularly in this last year," Michael Layton, Jack's son told Yahoo! Canada News in an email exchange.

The junior Layton, who serves as a city councillor in Toronto, believes Canadians' affection for his father was born out of his unwavering quest for equality and hope - referring to Jack's final message to Canadians, delivered in a letter that was published on the day of his death.

"My father worked hard his entire life to try to build a Canada where everyone had equal opportunities to healthcare, to a clean environment, to university, to live their life with dignity. He tried to build a country and world that we all want," Michael said.

"I hope (the Newsmaker of the Year honour) will help make his message of love and hope continue to resonate.

For the Layton family, 2011 has been a roller coaster of year from the NDP's tremendous gains in the May election to the death of their 'patriarch,' to the unofficial 'week of mourning' that catapulted them to the national stage.

They're now looking forward to a quiet Christmas break - their first without Jack.

"Holidays are a particularly difficult time for many Canadian families as they remember times with lost loved ones," he said.

"We are no different. But we will be together making new memories to share with the next generation."