A Canadian Forces veteran will take on Justice Minister Peter MacKay in the next federal election.

Justice Minister Peter Mackay pauses during a media availability before a roundtable discussion on justice in Vancouver on Aug. 19. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)

Liberal David MacLeod announced his candidacy in the Nova Scotia riding of Central Nova on Saturday.

MacKay has held the riding since the constituency was re-established during the 2004 election.

MacLeod was one of two members of the Veterans Emergency Transition Services group whom Calgary MP Rob Anders suggested were NDP "hacks" who praised Vladimir Putin after Anders denied he fell asleep during a Veterans Affairs Committee meeting.

Despite an apology, Anders was booted off the Veterans Affairs Committee.