TORONTO– This morning, George Takach announced he has officially joined the race to become the next leader of the federal Liberal Party of Canada, promising to build a Canada that works better through co-operation, encouraging innovation, and enhancing rights and freedoms.

Mr. Takach, a senior partner at renowned Canadian law firm McCarthy Tétrault, made his announcement at Toronto’s MaRS Discovery District, one of Canada’s premier launching pads for entrepreneurs seeking to develop new technology applications in the medical, communications and social innovation sectors. As a leading technology lawyer for the past 30 years, he has helped take the high-tech dreams of entrepreneurs from the drawing board to market, including devices and applications that have changed the way we live, work, play, learn and stay healthy.

In his speech to supporters, Mr. Takach promised to run a campaign of fresh ideas as the only candidate with real-world business experience in the technology sector. He aims to position the Liberal Party of Canada as the only political movement in Canada that rejects the cynical ideology and divisiveness that dominates the other major parties. But most importantly, he wants to lead a Liberal Party that looks to the future.

“Our car is in good shape and the tank is full. We have just been too busy looking in the rear-view mirror,” Mr. Takach told supporters. “I don’t want to lead a party that rests on its laurels and hides in stacks of history books. I want to lead a party that is confronting the challenges Canadians face today, and turning them into the opportunities of tomorrow so Canada can fully embrace the 21^st Century.”

In the coming weeks, Mr. Takach will be unveiling detailed policy positions based on his vision of providing Canadians with the freedom and ability to utilize the power of technology to get a better job, provide more opportunities for their family, build stronger communities, improve access to healthcare and education, and have a greater voice in national affairs.

Mr. Takach will also be travelling the country to discuss his deeply held belief that government needs to trust Canadians more by enhancing basic rights and freedoms.

“Being a Liberal means trusting Canadians with more freedom, not lording over them from on high. We currently have a government that treats Canadians like children. They want to take us back to the 1950s,” Mr. Takach said. “Ideology and fear hold us back as a nation. When governments pander to them, what they are really saying is, ‘we don’t trust you.’ That is not the Liberal way.”

In keeping with his vision to empower Canadians, Mr. Takach will propose a Digital Bill of Rights that will ban electronic surveillance without a court order, and implement strong protections against abuse or misuse of personal information from online sources, while also ensuring that law enforcement officials have adequate tools to address online crime and security threats.

“I offer a path where Canadians have the freedom and tools to secure their prosperity without Big Government or Big Brother watching over them – a path where Canada can work better, our economy can work better, our society can work better, and our government can work better,” Mr. Takach said.

Prominent Canadians and Liberals from coast to coast to coast are getting behind Mr. Takach’s campaign. Here’s what some have to say:

“The bottom line is that George Takach is a builder. He approaches problems as opportunities, and brings together the right people and the right ideas to get the job done. We don’t have enough of that in Ottawa, and Canada is suffering for it.”

-- James C. Morton, Past President, Ontario Bar Association; former federal Liberal candidate, Oshawa; former federal Liberal riding association president, Thornhill

“Liberals know we can’t live in the past any longer. We’re at our best when we’re looking ahead and moving forward. We can only be successful if we empower Canadians with the tools to succeed in the 21^st Century. Technology innovation is part of that, but George understands the bigger picture. As a British Columbian, it’s refreshing to see a leader emerge who is so keenly aware of how Canadians can work better together.”

-- Mark Marissen, Campaign Co-Chair, 2008 federal election, Liberal Party of Canada; President, Burrard Communications

“George Takach knows that the world is changing rapidly. Canada’s young people are just not being well served by a federal government that dithers so helplessly on providing the educational and infrastructure opportunities to participate in the 21^st Century economy. George gets it, and he knows how to get the job done.“

-- Michelle Johnston, Vice-President-Provincial, Ontario Young Liberals

“George Takach is the only leadership candidate who has brought people together from different cultures to build great things in an innovation economy. He also understands that young people are going to make the difference whether Canada grows. If Canada is to be prosperous, our federal government must break down barriers for young people and minorities. George is ready to do what it takes. That’s why he has my support.“

-- Amit Singh, President, Alberta Young Liberals

“I’m supporting George Takach because he has spent his professional life at the forefront of the evolution of Canada’s technological infrastructure. He knows many of our most important business leaders personally. His vision clearly demonstrates how we must develop our economy in the 21^st century to compete on a worldwide basis, to create the necessary jobs for our young and those not so young, to enhance social services and to distribute them more efficiently.”

-- Steven Pinkus, Vice-President West/Ouest, Liberal Party of Canada (Quebec)

“J’appuy George Takach parce qu'il a passé sa vie professionnelle à la fine pointe de l'évolution de l'infrastructure technologique du Canada. Il connaît personnellement plusieurs de nos chefs d’entreprise les plus importants. Sa vision démontre clairement comment nous devons développer notre économie au 21e siècle pour concurrencer à l'échelle mondiale, afin de créer les emplois nécessaires pour nos jeunes et les moins jeunes, améliorer les services sociaux et de les distribuer d’une façon plus efficace.”

-- Steven Pinkus, Vice-President West/Ouest, Liberal Party of Canada (Quebec)

Media and all Canadians are invited to check in with Mr. Takach at the following online communities as he embarks on his leadership campaign:

• www.georgetakach.ca (Media can download high-resolution photographs here)
• twitter.com/georgetakach
• facebook.com/georgetakach