In elections past, parties have been known to recruit well-known public figures to help them score with voters at the ballot box.
Indeed, with MPs Ken Dryden (Habs great), Marc Garneau (astronaut) and Justin Trudeau (arguably the most well-known surname in Canadian politics) winning with voters, it's easy to see why.
The Conservatives have also attracted public figures recently, like MP Peter Kent (former broadcaster) and Julian Fantino (Ontario police commissioner) to help further the cause.
This year is no exception. While some of these candidates may be new to politics, they aren't new to many voters in their ridings.
Larry Smith, Conservative candidate for Lac-Saint-Louis, Montreal
Football players can turn into successful politicians: just ask ex-CFL player and former Alberta premier Don Getty. Indeed, Smith has made a name for himself on and off the field since retiring from the Montreal Alouettes after a run through the 1970s. He's also sat in the Canadian Senate.
Andrew Cash, NDP candidate for Davenport in Toronto
No, he's not related to the Man in Black, but this Toronto-based musician made a name for himself with the critically-acclaimed roots outfit The Cash Brothers. He's also written for publications like The Globe and Mail. Lately, Cash has garnered high-profile support from Tragically Hip singer Gord Downey.
Mark Strahl, Conservative candidate for Fraser Canyon, British Columbia
Strahl's decision to enter politics is coming just as his father, long-time Conservative cabinet minister Chuck Strahl, is leaving public life. While the Strahl surname might not carry the weight of say, the Trudeau brand, rest assured the Strahls are well-known and respected in the Lower Mainland.
Chris Alexander, Conservative candidate for Ajax-Pickering, Ontario
In one of the most hotly contested races in the all-important Toronto area, former Canadian ambassador to the UN Chris Alexander will face off against Liberal incumbent Mark Holland. While Holland is known for his quick tongue, Alexander has a depth of diplomatic experience that should lend itself well to the battle.
Martin Cauchon, Liberal candidate for Jeanne-Le Bar, Montreal
He's back! No stranger to politics, Cauchon served as a cabinet minister during the halcyon Liberal days of Jean Chretien, including a stint as justice minister. But after the split between supporters of Chretien and Paul Martin in the last decade, Cauchon decided not to seek re-election. The Liberals hope Cauchon can deliver in a riding held by the Bloc Quebecois since 2006
David Morse, Conservative candidate for Kings-Hants, Nova Scotia
The longtime provincial minister boasts on his website he "knows and is respected by the Prime Minister and will have his ear" on local issues. Morse, a long-serving provincial environment and labour minister may have a solid resume but he'll have a tough fight ahead of him, squaring off against high profile Liberal MP Scott Brison.
Michel Letourneau, Bloc candidate for Beauport-Limoilou, Quebec
A well-known figure in the arts community in Quebec City, Letourneau hopes to once again turn the riding blue – that's Bloc blue, not Conservative blue. He'll do battle with Conservative incumbent Sylvie Boucher, who was elected in 2006 by less than 1,000 votes over her Bloc opponent. She managed to win again in 2008, but once again by a slim margin – less than 2,000 votes. The Conservatives are desperate to keep their small holdings in Quebec, so a tough fight can be expected.
Paul Okalik, Liberal candidate for Nunavut
The former premier and justice minister of Nunavut is making a run at the seat currently held by Conservative incumbent Leona Aglukkaq, who has had carriage of the high-profile federal health portfolio through some turbulent times. Okalik -- who was once Aglukkaq's boss -- was the first premier of Nunavut and held the job from 1999 to 2008. Aglukkaq served as finance minister, then health and social services minister in Okalik's government.
Noushig Eloyan, Liberal candidate for Ahuntsic, Que.
Eloyan, who was born in Syria, is making it a battle of "firsts" in the Ahuntsic riding in Montreal. The high-profile Liberal candidate was the first Armenian-Canadian woman to hold political office as the chair of the Montreal executive committee. She is challenging incumbent Bloc Quebecois MP Maria Mourani, the first female Lebanese MP in Canada. The fight promises to be a tough one.
With files from CTV.ca's Andy Johnson
