Justin Trudeau will run in Papineau

Justin Trudeau has confirmed he will seek the federal Liberal party nomination inMontreal's Papineau riding.

The eldest son of former prime minister Pierre Trudeau will attempt to jump into politics in a riding currently held by Bloc Québécois MP Vivian Barbot.

"We'll see whether I'm crazy or not," Trudeausaid Thursday afternoon.

When asked what hisfatherwould have thought about his decision, Trudeausaid the formerstatesman alwaystold his children to "'make sure you're doing everything you can do to make the world a better place.' Today I start a new chapter."

Trudeau said he's had "on and off" talks with Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion about his interest in running for office.

Dion welcomed Trudeau's decision to run for the nomination.

"I'm very impressed by the courage of this young man, to go [into] a tough fight. I'm sure he'll do it with a lot of dignity."

The Papineau riding was once a Liberal stronghold, whereformer foreign affairs minister Pierre Pettigrew was elected three times.

Speculation has swirled around Trudeau's political intentions in recent months, whenhe spokeout on several issues, including the environment and national unity.

In the federal Liberal leadership race in November, Trudeau backed candidate Gerard Kennedy, who threw his support behind Dion in a surprise deal that clinched the race.