Justin Trudeau has confirmed he will seek the federal Liberal party nomination in Montreal'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.

Justin Trudeau is following in his father's footstep, running for the federal Liberals in Quebec.
(Dave Chidley/Canadian Press)

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

When asked what his father would have thought about his decision, Trudeau said the former statesman always told 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, where former foreign affairs minister Pierre Pettigrew was elected three times.

Speculation has swirled around Trudeau's political intentions in recent months, when he spoke out 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.