Yellowknife, N.W.T. - To no one's surprise, Liberal MP Justin Trudeau officially announced his candidacy for the Liberal Party leadership this week.

The Western Arctic Liberal Association seems happy with Trudeau's decision to seek the nod and feels it will only help the party to regain its past successes.

The association's president, Kieran Testart, said he was "overjoyed" when he heard the news.

"Justin has a way of reaching out to young people that's just remarkable. He's able to capture the political imagination of people who typically have fallen into apathy."

Before NDP Dennis Bevington won the Western Arctic seat, Liberal Ethel Blondin-Andrew was the MP from 1988 to 2006.

Testart said Trudeau may not help put a Liberal back in the seat because the NWT usually elects a strong advocate, but a good leader can sometimes sway opinion.

"With a strong leader who inspires people to be more involved, that can only help. But I think that it's really a matter of issues, and a matter of where we're sitting during the next election as a country."

He also said party members have to be cautious about making Trudeau's announcement a coronation.

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