Bertschi leaving Liberal leadership race, leaving six candidates in the running

OTTAWA – And then there were six.

Ottawa lawyer David Bertschi has dropped out of the Liberal leadership race.

Bertschi says his campaign has not reached the “critical mass” needed ahead of this weekend’s debate in Montreal, the final one before Liberals choose their next leader.

His departure follow’s last week’s exit by Montreal MP Marc Garneau, who threw his support to front-runner Justin Trudeau.

Garneau declared the outcome “a fait accompli,” saying polling done by his campaign showed Trudeau had the backing of most Liberal members and supporters.

Bertschi’s departure leaves six candidates in the running: Trudeau, Joyce Murray, Martha Hall Findlay, Martin Cauchon, Deborah Coyne and Karen McCrimmon.