Huzzah! No doubt encouraged by Harper’s first days in power, the high profile names are now stampeding towards the Liberal Party leadership. The first to declare? Martha Hall Findley. Yes, THE Martha Hall Findley.

OK, OK. In all seriousness, she has a pretty good bio:

Martha is a successful, well-respected lawyer, businesswoman and entrepreneur, with extensive experience with both large and small business.

– She is fluently bilingual in English and French, with training in several other languages.

– She is 45, and has 3 grown children: Katie, 23; Everett, 21 and Patrick, 19.

– She is the founder and principal of The General Counsel Group, management and legal consultants since 1997. As a member of The General Counsel Group, Martha has worked primarily in the high-tech and telecommunications fields, in both Canada and Europe.

– Prior to forming The General Counsel Group, Martha was:

◦ Vice President, Corporate Development and General Counsel of The Rider Group;
◦ General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Mobility Canada, Bell Mobility Corporate Counsel;

◦Lawyer with the international law firm of Baker & McKenzie (in Torontpracticingsing international corporate and commercial law.

– She also co-owned and operated two retail stores while completing law school.

– Martha graduated from the University of Toronto’s International Relations Programme and then from Osgoode Hall Law School.

– In her youth, Martha was a competitive skier, ultimately being named to the Canadian National Training Squad before retiring and pursuing her formal education. Martha supported herself throughout university working as a waitress, in construction (primarily as a carpenter) and coaching young ski racers.

Given that her candidacy will make Belinda uncomfortable, and I’m all for making Belinda uncomfortable, I’m glad Findley is running.

In slightly more troubling news, two very strong candidates who I’d like to see run are sounding less than enthousiastic. Gerard Kennedy is saying he won’t run while rumours are circling that Martin Cauchon will back down too. Paul Hellyer anyone?