The siren sounds Wednesday for the official start of the five-month race for the federal Liberal leadership.

Already, some of the six declared candidates have been crossing the country trying to drum up support. That includes M-P Justin Trudeau, the perceived front-runner who
announced his candidacy six weeks ago.

Former Toronto M-P Martha Hall Findlay will announce her candidacy Wednesday in Calgary. Hall Findlay has just finished paying off the debt she piled up from her last run at the leadership in 2006.

Karen McCrimmon, a retired lieutenant-colonel in the Canadian military, is also expected to announce her candidacy, possibly as soon as today.

Vancouver M-P Joyce Murray, Toronto lawyer George Takach and Montreal M-P Marc Garneau are also expected to join the race shortly.

Other names already in the race include Toronto lawyer and public policy consultant Deborah Coyne, Vancouver Crown prosecutor Alex Burton, Ottawa lawyer David Bertschi, Ontario government economist Jonathan Mousley and David Merner, former president of the party’s British Columbia wing.

The winner will be announced next April 13th in Ottawa.

(The Canadian Press)