Toronto lawyer George Takach is the latest entrant into the Liberal party's federal leadership race.
Here is the roster of candidates who have announced their intention to run:
- David Bertschi
- Alex Burton
- Deborah Coyne
- Marc Garneau
- Martha Hall Findlay
- Karen McCrimmon
- David Merner
- Joyce Murray
- George Takach
- Justin Trudeau
Jonathan Mousley, an Ontario government economist, has declared himself to be a prospective candidate.
Hopefuls have to deliver a non-refundable $75,000 entry fee and the signed support of 300 Liberal party members by Jan. 14, 2013 to be eligible. The party has set a spending limit of $950,000 and a campaign loan limit of $75,000.
The Liberals list Coyne and Trudeau as the only officially confirmed candidates to date.
ABOUT THE RACE
The winner will be announced on April 14 in Ottawa. Candidates will give speeches and debate the previous weekend in Toronto (Friday, April 6).
Debates are also planned for Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax between Jan. 20 and March 23.
The party is using a preferential ballot that gives equal weight to each of Canada's federal ridings. The last-place finisher on each ballot will be eliminated and their votes redistributed to the second choice.
The biggest change revolves around who can actually vote. Liberals opted earlier this year to allow "supporters" to join paid members in selecting the leader. Supporters cannot belong to another party and must promise to support Liberal principles.
Bob Rae became interim leader in May 2011 following the party's third-place election finish and the resignation of Michael Ignatieff. Party members chose to delay a full leadership vote until spring 2013.
-Andrew Thomson
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