Dozens of community members including members of City Council took part in the 6th Annual Mayor’s Leadership Prayer Breakfast this morning (March 13th).

The special guest speaker for the event was former MP and founder of the Reform Party, Preston Manning.

Manning shared his personal history as both a politician and a devout Christian and how that shaped his personal life and career.

During his speech this morning, Manning touched on Alberta’s political and spiritual heritage.

“I believe there’s a spiritual dimension to life and if you ignore it, you pay a price for it. I mainly told stories here from Alberta’s heritage, it’s spiritual heritage as well as it’s political heritage. I think we can learn from those times and those lessons.”

Manning hopes that his message is one that many in Airdrie and Alberta will take to heart.

“All the communities in Alberta right now are under stress because of the state of the economy. I think people have to draw on spiritual resources during those times and this breakfast is a time to talk about that.”

The Prayer Breakfast also featured prayers from Rev. Bonnie Luft of St. Francis of Assisi Church and a speech from Grade 12 student Maddy Cormier.

Although Manning has been retired from politics for many years, he is passionate about teaching the next generation.

“I’m mainly involved in trying to provide training and assistance to younger people that want to get into the political arena in one way, shape or form. The old idea was that you can learn on the job, today you better enter prepared.”

All proceeds from the Leadership Prayer Breakfast will go to the Airdrie and District Victims Assistance Society.

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