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MONTREAL (AP) — Hoping to turn around the fortunes of Canada’s once-dominant Liberal Party, the eldest son of the late Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau announced Tuesday he was following his father’s footsteps and launching his bid to obtain the party’s leadership.

Justin Trudeau, 40, a charismatic member of Parliament since 2008, made the announcement in front of supporters in his Montreal district.

Many Liberals hoped Trudeau would run for the leadership of a party that ruled Canada for much of the last century but was regulated to third-party status in the last election.

“I am in love with Canada. I want to dedicate my life to serve it,” Trudeau said in French.

Pierre Trudeau, who died at age 80 in 2000, was prime minister for most of a 16-year stretch from 1968-84.



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