The Yukon's former MP has officially entered the race for the Liberal Party of Canada's territorial nomination for the 2015 election.

Larry Bagnell is the first person to put his name forward for consideration.

A second person is expected to enter the fray, according to Jason Cunning, the local chair of the party's election readiness committee.

Bagnell lost a tight race to Conservative MP Ryan Leef in the May 2, 2011 election after having served as the Yukon's member of Parliament since 2000.

"Since the last election, which was very close, a lot of people asked me, encouraged me to run again, and I want to give those people the opportunity at least to try and make that happen,” he told the Star Thursday afternoon.

But Bagnell, 64, is re-entering politics for other reasons too.

He wants to get back to helping Yukoners navigate complicated federal programs – and he wants to make Canada a better place for his children.

Bagnell and his wife, Melissa, have two young children, Aurora, five, and Dawson, two.

"I'm actually really gratified that I was home during the earliest, formative years,” Bagnell said of being able to spend more time with his family over the last three years.

But after a family discussion, he and Melissa decided entering the race is the right choice.

"We understand the challenges, we've been through it before to some extent, so we know the scheduling, but we're also going to do our part to make sure that the Yukon's good for everyone and that way it will be also good for our children,” he said.

"You have do your part to make sure that the Canada they're going to live in is one you believe in, one that fits your values.

"Some of the things that have happened in Ottawa lately have really upset a lot of Yukoners.”

Bagnell is critical of many of the Conservative government's cuts to services.

Those include reductions to Parks Canada, heritage and aboriginal programs, and the controversial closure of the local Canada Revenue Agency office.

"It didn't make any sense; we have a right to those services,” said the former MP.

"It probably brought more income tax into the federal government than it cost because of people knowing how to do it right,” he said.

"I was a constant champion for the North, making sure the North's voice got heard,” he said.

"Often, we're different, we have different needs – a perfect example is food mail. I fought against the changes that have so drastically hurt that for the people of the Arctic.”

Bagnell also noted his record promoting tourism and anti-poverty measures.

"When you have over 900 people in Whitehorse accessing the food bank, you know that's just ridiculous.

"We're one of the wealthiest communities in the world, so something has to be done to deal with that type of imbalance,” he said.

Other priorities Bagnell listed included the implementation of land claims, which he noted aren't being implemented in the spirit of the agreements, according to Canada's Auditor General, and the development of a truly fair Elections Act.

Bagnell was pleased to see party leader Justin Trudeau spend a few days in the Yukon last summer, and had the opportunity to spend sometime with him and his young family.

"I think he's very open to listening,” said Bagnell, adding, "He's a very good family man; I could see that with him and his family, and I think that will resonate a chord with Canadians.”

In a news release Thursday, Bagnell said he thinks people want to see a re-match between him and Leef – and he's prepared to give them one.

Leef isn't shying away either.

"I wish him the best of luck. I think it is good that there are credible and interested candidates putting their name forward for the 2015 election,” the 40-year-old MP told the Star Thursday.

"Now it's time for him to get through the nomination process. I do not think it will be an absolute acclamation for him, but the best of luck as he goes through that process.”

No one has publicly announced an intention to oppose Leef for the Conservative nomination.

While there's no official closing date for the Liberal nominations to be entered, Cunning said, the party is hoping to have a candidate sometime in October.

In the 2011 election, Leef won with 5,422 votes, or 132 more than Bagnell's 5,290. The Green Party's John Streicker received 3,307; and New Democrat Kevin Barr earned 2,308.