Justin Trudeau is set to enter federal politics and seek a seat in the Montreal riding of Outremont, according to a report -- although Trudeau himself isn't talking.
Pierre Trudeau's eldest son joined the Liberal riding association in the relatively safe riding of Outremont about two months ago, Montreal's La Presse newspaper reported.
But it appears some Liberals are opposed to the idea of seeing the former prime minister's son run for the seat, the newspaper added.
La Presse reports that Liberal leader Stephane Dion was planning on reserving the riding for high-profile candidates who could help the rebuild the party's support in Quebec.
According to the newspaper, Dion has made it clear to some Liberals that the 35-year-old Trudeau is not the star candidate he was seeking.
Trudeau declined to comment in an email he sent to the rival Montreal Gazette newspaper.
The seat is currently held by former transport minister Jean Lapierre, who announced in December that he wouldn't be running in the next federal election.
"Given that I am 50 years old, I told myself it is now or never if I want to have another career..." Lapierre said at the time, insisting his decision had nothing to do with the arrival of Dion.
During the Liberal leadership campaign, Trudeau endorsed Gerard Kennedy after he argued against the House of Commons motion that defines the Quebecois as a nation within a united Canada.
Trudeau also suggested during the campaign that the Liberal party faithful should look beyond the leadership front-runners to younger candidates -- such as Dion and Kennedy.
Once Kennedy dropped out of the running at the Montreal convention in December, however, Trudeau threw his support behind Dion.
When Dion won, Trudeau said the new leader was an inspired choice, given the concern he shares with Canadians for the environment.
Outremont has been a federal Liberal stronghold since 1935, except for a single Progressive Conservative win in 1988. Still, Liberal support saw a considerable drop during the time Lapierre held the riding.
Justin's father, former prime minister Pierre Trudeau, represented the adjacent Mount Royal riding from 1965 to 1984. That riding is currently represented by Liberal MP Irwin Cotler.
While Justin lives in that riding, Cotler has indicated he will run in the next election.
With files from The Canadian Press
