B.C. MP Peter Julian has announced a bid to become leader of the New Democratic Party.

The MP representing Burnaby-New Westminster revealed the news in the Legislature this morning (October 19) when he resigned from his position as party House leader.

In a message posted on Facebook, Julian thanked his colleagues for their support during his time leading the NDP in the Legislature and wrote that he is eager to get to work on the party's next chapter.

"Today, I have resigned from my role of house leader of the ndp to explore the possibility of participating in the race to the direction of the NDP," it reads. "Over the past few months, I've had a lot of exciting conversations about the future of our party. I now very much looking forward to continue these conversations with my colleagues and with Canadians across the country on their vision for our party and our country."

The current NDP leader, Thomas Mulcair, previously said he would step down from that position in the fall of 2017.

That followed a crushing defeat the NDP felt under Mulcair’s leadership in the October 2015 federal election. The traditionally left-wing party captured 19.7 percept of the popular vote and was reduced to just 44 seats in the House of Commons.

https://twitter.com/MPJulian/status/788773548470968320

Julian has held the riding of Burnaby-New Westminster since 2004. Since then, he’s served as an opposition critic for industry and for energy and natural resources. Prior to entering politics, he held the position of executive director at the Council of Canadians.

Julian is the first candidate to announce a serious bid for leadership of the NDP.

The position of NDP party House leader will be filled by Murray Rankin, MP for Victoria.