Charlottetown MP Sean Casey said he advised MP Justin Trudeau on the challenges of following in the footsteps of a famous father as Trudeau was preparing to announce his bid to become leader of the Liberal party.

Charlottetown MP Sean Casey and Justin Trudeau discussed political legacies last week. (CBC)

When Trudeau spoke with Casey last week to say he would be seeking the leadership, Casey told him about the case of Robert Ghiz. Ghiz and Casey conferred in 2003 as the former was considering a run for the leadership of the Liberal Party of P.E.I. Ghiz's father Joe was P.E.I. premier from 1986 to 1993.

"Any son who seeks to follow in the footsteps of his father will always be initially criticized for not being as good. But I would say, when I said that to (Trudeau), it wasn't something he didn't already know," said Casey.

Casey told Trudeau he enjoyed being "along for that ride" watching the younger Ghiz's ascension to the position of premier, and hoped to see the same story play out for Trudeau.

The Quebec MP confirmed Tuesday he was throwing his hat into the party's leadership race.

Justin Trudeau announced he will run for the leadership of the federal Liberal Party. (CBC)

Casey said he's not ready to support Trudeau's bid just yet. He said wants to see who else is in the race before making that decision.

Casey said the party is excited about Trudeau's announcement, and that Trudeau is a person with the ability to change politics in this country.