DIEPPE, N.B. – Justin Trudeau has received an endorsement for the federal Liberal leadership from a one-time contender for the job.

Beausejour MP Dominic LeBlanc formally backed Trudeau at a rally in Dieppe this afternoon.

LeBlanc thanked his constituents who felt he should run.

“I am enormously grateful for the confidence you’ve shown in me as your member of parliament, but also as somebody you thought should play a role in the future of the party.”

Trudeau says he and LeBlanc spent a lot of time together this summer in New Brunswick.

“Most of the conversations we had were about our vision for the country, about Canadians wanting better than what they’re getting right now from their political leadership, in the leader of the opposition and the prime minister.”

It was standing room only at today’s Liberal rally in Dieppe at the Arts and Cultural Centre, with more than 400 people attending the event.