Before his great showing at the debates on Sunday, Liberal Party leadership candidate George Takach sat down with the Vancouver Observer to talk about his leadership ambitions, his policy, and what the party needs to stay competitive against the Conservatives and the NDP.

Takach is a determined Toronto-based lawyer poised to bring issues of technology policy into the mainstream discussion of the party and the nation.

At 55 years old, he sees Canada’s lack of investment and innovation in the tech sector as the main reason why the country falls behind in technology.

Citing our lacklustre record for affordable and accessible internet, telecommunications, and the growing trend for Canadian companies to be absorbed by foreign competitors, he believes his tech policies can bring Canada a prosperous future.

Speaking to us at McCarthy-Tetrault’s law firm in Vancouver where he sits as a partner, Takach noted his experience with leadership, having a vision, and using a team to achieve goals against all odds. Being a longtime Liberal, he sees this race as “his time” to use his skills and lead the party, and even be Prime Minister.

Going up against the other eight candidates is nevertheless going to be an uphill battle – most pit Takach with the smaller candidates like constitutional scholar Deborah Coyne, or former lieutenant colonel Karen McCrimmon, but the five debates (the first having taken place today) will be their best chance to be seen as contenders.

Videography credit to Varun Saran at vsaranphoto.com.