Ben Mulroney to run for Conservatives in the federal riding of Papineau.

Ben Mulroney to run in Papineau for Conservatives

Updated Sun. Apr. 1 2007 6:50 AM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree

CTV News has learned that Ben Mulroney, son of former prime minister Brian Mulroney, will announce his bid to seek the Conservative nomination in the Montreal-area riding of Papineau, Monday.

Last month, Justin Trudeau, the eldest son of former prime minister Pierre Trudeau, confirmed to the media that he would be seeking the Liberal nomination in the same riding.

Conservative Party officials were not available for comment early Sunday morning, however one Tory insider confirmed to CTV News that Mulroney will be parachuted into the riding by Prime Minister Harper.

Mulroney is also expected to immediately step down from his hosting duties of the wildly popular CTV series 'Canadian Idol,' currently in production.

Producers of Canadian Idol refused to confirm reports that home-grown comedian Mike Bullard was being wooed to fill Mulroney's hosting shoes.

The battle for Papineau is shaping up to be a historic first in Canadian politics.

The riding is currently held by Bloc Québécois MP Vivian Barbot.