"Holding open nominations – instead of directly appointing candidates – has been a key element of Mr. Trudeau’s efforts to attract fresh blood to the party since his election as Liberal Leader in 2013."
Yup, this was just another promise for the election period, not one that was meant to be kept while in government.  It joins the string of such promises including a self-correcting $10 billion deficit and this is the last election featuring FPTP.
BTW, why, after less than 2 years from the pervious election win, do Goodale and Dion get plum government appointments to supplement their golden MP pensions and causing the need for some of these by-elections?  And why is the press not calling Trudeau and the Liberals on these partisan appointments?   The double standard is sickening.