Calgary·Chat Replay

Preston Manning takes your Calgary election questions

Preston Manning answered questions from the audience about Calgary's 2013 municipal election and the involvement of the Manning Centre.
Former federal politician Preston Manning answered reader's questions Wednesday between noon and 1 p.m. MT. He is the founder of the Manning Centre, which runs the Municipal Governance Project aiming to improve "local government through free markets." (CBC)

Preston Manning answered questions from the audience about Calgary's 2013 civic election and the involvement of the Manning Centre. 

CBC Calgary's municipal reporter Scott Dippel hosted the conversation, and asked Manning some questions of his own.

The Manning Centre has been running workshops for candidates with "market-oriented ideas and principles" running for councillor in this year's Oct. 21 election.

The centre was founded by Manning, a former federal politician who sat as a Calgary MP. He is the founder of the Reform Party, a precursor to today's Conservative Party of Canada.

The Calgary-based conservative think-tank was at the centre of a controversy early this year when a video from a private developer's meeting was released to media. The video showed some Calgary home builders outlining a plan to get developer-friendly candidates on city council, which included donating to the Manning Centre. 

We spoke about:

  • Slates in municipal politics.
  • Developer issues. 
  • The centre's foray into municipal politics. 
  • The difference between the Manning Centre and the Manning Foundation.

Comment below to keep the conversation — hosted by CBC Calgary municipal affairs reporter Scott Dippel — going.

Last week, political strategist Stephen Carter took part in a live chat with Dippel. You can find it here

We'll also host an election night live chat from 8-11:30 p.m MT on Oct. 21.