NDP runs star candidate in Montreal Grit stronghold

Former Quebec Liberal environment minister Thomas Mulcair announced on Thursday he would run for the New Democratic Party in the Montreal riding of Outremont.

Mulcair made his announcement on Thursday in at a news conference in Outremont, with NDP Leader Jack Layton at his side.

Layton said Quebecers share the NDP values of social democracy and electing Mulcair would be a golden opportunity to express that.

Outremont is a longtime federal Liberal stronghold.The NDP hasn't elected a member of Parliament from Quebec in more than a decade.

The Outremont seat in Parliament has been vacant since former Liberal cabinet minister Jean Lapierre resigned in January.

No date has been set for a byelection.