Martin Cauchon touts experience as he takes Liberal leadership plunge
OTTAWA - Martin Cauchon has become the ninth — and last — candidate in the Liberal leadership race.
The former cabinet minister is touting the fact that he's the only contender who actually has experience running the machinery of federal government.
Cauchon says he took his time deciding whether to take the plunge because he knows that seeking to eventually run the country is a huge commitment, not a "popularity contest."
Presumed front-runner Justin Trudeau launched his campaign in early October; the other seven have been stumping the country since at least November.
Cauchon retired from politics in 2004, but a 2011 comeback attempt in his old Montreal riding of Outremont was thwarted by Tom Mulcair, now NDP leader.
If elected Liberal leader, Cauchon says he would likely run next time in Charlevoix, the eastern Quebec riding in which he was born.
