Will Justin Trudeau run for Parliament MP?

OTTAWA–Justin Trudeau appears poised to follow his famous father's footsteps into politics and could run for the Liberal nomination in the Montreal riding of Outremont for the next federal election.

Quebec political circles have been abuzz concerning Trudeau's possible entry into elected life since last fall, but the drumbeat intensified over the Christmas holidays.

The 35-year-old Trudeau isn't saying yes just yet, nor is he seeking to quash the speculation. "I have no comment to make at this time," he told the Star in an email.

Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion, who was meeting with Liberals in Moncton, N.B., yesterday, was noncommittal on the Trudeau question, saying only he's always pleased when he hears of quality candidates manifesting their interest to run for the party.

Outremont is currently held by former transport minister and Liberal Quebec lieutenant Jean Lapierre, who has publicly indicated he won't be running again.

Some Liberals in the riding have confessed to misgivings about a Trudeau candidacy; though he has considerable star power, the feeling is the riding should be reserved for a candidate with a longer track record of public involvement.

One such candidate, former justice minister and Outremont MP Martin Cauchon, is also said to be interested, although he wouldn't comment yesterday.

Sources in the party's Quebec wing said Dion has indicated a preference for setting aside safe Liberal seats – of which Outremont is one – in order to fulfil his promise of running women candidates in a third of the country's 308 ridings.

Other reports, including an article in La Presse, have suggested that party activist Brigitte Legault, a former youth wing president, is interested in running in Outremont.

If Dion opts to designate a candidate in Outremont, there may be alternatives for Trudeau.

While former justice minister Irwin Cotler is expected to run again in Pierre Elliott Trudeau's former riding of Mount Royal, there is mounting speculation that former Treasury Board president Lucienne Robillard won't seek re-election in Westmount-Ville-Marie, as rock solid a Liberal seat as there is.

Former prime minister Paul Martin has made little secret of not intending to run again in LaSalle-Émard, although insiders say that riding is coveted by former heritage minister Liza Frulla.

André Fortin, a spokesperson for Dion, said that no candidates will be announced for Quebec until the leader has appointed co-chairs to oversee the election effort.

Dion isn't expected to make that kind of announcement until later this month, when the party holds a caucus meeting in Quebec City.

Lapierre said on his daily radio commentary in Montreal that Dion is inclined to hold Outremont for a star candidate like Steven Guilbeault, a high-profile Greenpeace activist in Quebec.

Guilbeault is on vacation and couldn't be reached for comment, but a Greenpeace official who has been in contact with him said "lots of people would like to work with Steven, but he's made his decision to work with Greenpeace."

The voluble Guilbeault has also been rumoured to be running for the provincial Liberals.

Trudeau, a former drama teacher, sometimes actor and environmental activist, has become steadily more involved in Liberal politics in the last 18 months, and most recently threw his support behind former Ontario education minister Gerard Kennedy in the party's December leadership race.