The 44th president of the United States spoke to an almost sold-out crowd at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary today. Former U.S. president Barack Obama, a Democrat, served two terms after being elected in 2008 — becoming the first African-American president of the United States. Obama is on a speaking tour of Canadian cities. He was in Winnipeg on Monday. His only Alberta stop was in Calgary as he made his way out to Vancouver for another speaking event later on Tuesday. Discussing a wide range of topics, including his family and what he's most proud of, talking about Alberta's beleaguered oil industry really struck a chord with the audience. "All of us are going to have to recognize that there are tradeoffs involved with how we live, how our economy is structured and the world we are going to pass onto our kids and grandkids. And nobody is exempt from that conversation," he said. "The fact of the matter is that oil and gas have powered the industrial revolution, they have powered Canada's economy, the U.S. economy, and powered the world. And it has been an extraordinary run and is still the cheapest means for us to power everything that we do." But Obama says one way or another choices will have to made by the world to deal with climate change. "Either we are going to do it intentionally or thoughtfully and seriously, or it will happen to us," he said. "And by the time it happens to us, it might be too late — and that's the way we have to think about it." He says research in the energy field should focus on the future of the industry. Follow the recap of our live blog for more Born in Hawaii, Obama worked as a law professor at the University of Chicago from 1992 until 2004 when he was elected to the U.S. Senate — the start of a long political career. Without mentioning his successor by name, Obama told a sold-out Winnipeg crowd on Monday he wasn't sure if his country had the leadership to avoid a period of intense trouble. "If we had a crisis today, I'm concerned that we, at least in the United States, may not be in the habit of trying to figure things out in a common sense, practical way," Obama said in Manitoba. His wife Michelle Obama — who appeared in Calgary last year to a sold-out audience — plans to come back to Alberta later this month.<doc-sep>Without mentioning his successor by name, former U.S. president Barack Obama told a sold-out Winnipeg crowd he wasn't sure his country has the leadership to resist troubles like a major recession. "If we had a crisis today, I'm concerned that we, at least in the United States, may not be in the habit of trying to figure things out in a common sense, practical way," Obama said on Monday night. In front of 13,500 people, the popular 44th president of the United States made only indirect criticisms of the current administration and its perceived reliance on passions over facts, preferring instead to reflect on his time in office, the rise of extremist sentiments and his admiration for the younger generation. A chipper, often humourous, Obama spent 65 minutes answering questions on the first stop of his Canadian speaking tour, "A Conversation with President Barack Obama," which was sponsored by the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce. He will speak again Tuesday in Calgary and Vancouver. Wearing his signature navy blue suit, sans tie, Obama was treated like a rock star as he walked on stage to uproarious applause from a Bell MTS Place crowd who paid as much as $500 to see him. "It's a great day to be in Winnipeg," Obama said triumphantly, as he reclined on his armchair. He quipped about Winnipeg's cold sucking his face inwards, and took a shot at moderator Michael Burns, the former CEO of the Invictus Games in Toronto, for joking that people from Toronto saw no reason to visit Winnipeg. Obama then referenced the local hockey club, after meeting owner Mark Chipman earlier in the day. An engaging Barack Obama speaks to a sold-out crowd during a 65-minute question and answer session at Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg. (Tinepublic Inc./Dwayne Larson) "The Blackhawks are in last place but our captain is from Winnipeg, Jonathan Toews," he told the audience. "Thank you Winnipeg for that great gift." Burns moved through a slideshow of photos from Obama's life, ranging from childhood memories to his inauguration. By way of background, Burns told the crowd that Obama, the first African-American president in U.S. history, was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. "Allegedly," Obama shot back, referencing the conspiracy he wasn't American by birth. America's better together He said Hawaii most resembles the American melting pot, and it's where he learned that more unites Americans than divides them. "People are all the same. Wherever you go, people have common hopes, common dreams, similar aspirations and struggles," Obama said. "Colour, ethnicity, nationality — they really are constructs. They scratch the surface, they don't mean much." He said racism is a powerful fault line in American discourse and those impulses flare up in periods of economic unrest. Obama spoke often of his hope in the younger generation. He tries to meet youth in every city he visits, including before his Winnipeg show, he said. "Younger people are trying to get away from the baggage that us older folks hoist on them, and that makes me feel optimistic," he said. He said the polarization running rampant in politics today can be stifled if people rise up against it. "If citizens insist on better politics, if citizens insist on integrity, if citizens insist on facts and if citizens participate, that's how change happens," he said. Speaking of his own administration, Obama said his team's best attributes was their commitment to the greater good and the viewpoints they brought. Obama wasn't afraid of someone other than him being the smartest in the room, he said. "I made it a habit of not being afraid to say, 'I don't know what you're talking about,'" he said. Make women decision-makers He drew the night's loudest applause when he said you cannot run a good organization if women are not at the table. "If at this day and age, you don't have some racial diversity and the perspectives of those who may know what it's like to be on the outside looking in, you're probably going to be missing the boat," Obama said. He said progressives are not exemplary in this regard. A smattering of people where "everybody is politically woke, eats granola and drive a Prius" shouldn't be discussing our reliance on fossil fuels without hearing from a person driving 50 miles each day to get to work. "That's a kind of diversity, as well, that is sometimes missing." Asked of his dealings with Trudeau and Harper, Obama paused briefly and the crowd chuckled. He gently chided his audience for reading too much into his silence. "You should be accustomed by now to these pauses I have," he said through a smirk. "It's a weird way I talk." Afterwards, he said his relationships with both prime ministers were terrific, but he was more closely aligned with Trudeau, who he saw as an "inheriter of a proud progressive tradition." Obama dined with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Montreal's Liverpool House after a 2017 speech in the city. (Justin Trudeau/Twitter) He could have done without all the bickering over lumber disputes, from either prime minister. "You do have that whole Canadian thing that certain things are really important to you that nobody cares about," Obama said to the crowd, now laughing. While he didn't discount the troubles the world is facing, Obama reminded the audience that society has never been more tolerant, more inclusive and less violent than it is today. His words were encouraging to the young people in the crowd. "It made me feel like I'm not crazy," said Michael Redhead Champagne, an Indigenous activist. "For him to direct his message specifically to young people organizing outside of the system ... I think that's really powerful for him to do that." Allen Khirman, a recent high school graduate, expected a little more from Obama. "All I learned was what I learned in elementary school, which was treat people nicely," he said. "I don't think we need Barack Obama to come talk about that."<doc-sep>Send this page to someone via email If you’re heading to Bell MTS Place on Monday to visit with the former president, be prepared to hurry up and wait. “The event starts at 6 o’clock, the doors open at 5, so we have to get the building fully loaded in an hour,” said Kevin Donnelly with True North Sports and Entertainment. “So we are encouraging people, leave your briefcase, leave your lunch bag if you’re coming from work, leave those other things in the car or at the office if you can, so be prepared for thorough security checks. Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "So we are encouraging people, leave your briefcase, leave your lunch bag if you're coming from work, leave those other things in the car or at the office if you can, so be prepared for thorough security checks. “Please don’t bring any bags if you can avoid doing so, because that will slow down the process. It’ll speed up your process if you don’t have a bag, and you know we just want everyone seated in their seat ready for 6 p.m. because it will start promptly at 6.” Story continues below advertisement Former president Barack Obama is visiting the River City as part of a speaking tour, and Donnelly said the excitement and anticipation he’s hearing from people is different than from other events. “I think the anticipation to see him goes beyond just the people who are coming, the town is talking about this event.” Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I think the anticipation to see him goes beyond just the people who are coming, the town is talking about this event." It’s unknown what Obama will cover during the event, said Donnelly, adding he’s curious to see what the President chats to Canadians about. “How much he touches what happens south of us, how much is his view of the world in general or what his efforts are going forward. I’m very, very curious myself.” Two former presidents have visited Winnipeg in the past, including Jimmy Carter in relation to his charity work, and Bill Clinton made a quick stop in the city in 2003. But Barack Obama is different, said Donnelly. “Who Barack was and the fact that he got through his presidency unscathed, there wasn’t a scandal that followed him, there wasn’t anything that tarnished his efforts while he was in office, so comparative to Clinton, or the Jimmy Carter visits, that sort of thing, there’s been nothing quite like this. Story continues below advertisement “We have sold 12,000 tickets in the arena, so it will be a massive event tomorrow night.” READ MORE: Barack Obama to speak in Winnipeg at Bell MTS Place The show will likely include a Q&A from the audience and a bit of back-and-forth as well, said Donnelly. Tickets, if there are any left on Monday, will be sold at Ticketmaster. RELATED: ‘The memes are true’: Biden confirms jokes about Obama friendship are accurate 0:18 ‘The memes are true’: Biden confirms jokes about Obama friendship are accurate ‘The memes are true’: Biden confirms jokes about Obama friendship are accurate – Jan 21, 2019<doc-sep>Share this Story: Obama delivers message of hope to Vancouver Board of Trade Obama delivers message of hope to Vancouver Board of Trade Photo by Matt Borck / PNG Article content Former U.S. president Barack Obama spent much of a speaking engagement Tuesday in Vancouver dwelling on climate change and inequality, but left his audience with a message of hope. Obama spoke to a sold-out crowd at the Vancouver Convention Centre during the third stop in Canada of his “A Conversation with President Barack Obama” speaking tour, after visits to Calgary and Winnipeg. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Obama delivers message of hope to Vancouver Board of Trade Back to video Grammy and Juno-winning musician Sarah McLachlan warmed up the crowd of 4,500 with a 20-minute set, opening it by dedicating her song, “World On Fire,” to the former president, thanking him for his integrity while in office and offering her “sincere hope that someday that light will shine again.” After an introduction by the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, whose president and CEO, Iain Black, was the moderator, Obama walked onto the stage to a standing ovation, wearing a dark jacket and blue shirt with no tie. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Reflecting back on this time in office, he recalled the early months of his first term in 2009 as “extraordinarily intense.” He became president while the world was in financial crisis, and was forced to make quick judgments with serious consequences. But in short time he reached a high point of his presidency with progress in health-care coverage through his Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. “Obamacare,” as the act is also known, expanded health coverage to an additional 20 million Americans. “It’s still hanging in there,” he said. Photo by Matt Borck / PNG But from his vantage point as president he also saw that globalization, automation, the internet and social media were accelerating the pace at which high-skilled labour and companies with “great ideas” amassed wealth, influence and market share, he said. This has displaced communities and affected the stability of middle-class lives, he lamented. “You get collisions of cultures that wouldn’t have occurred 50 or 100 years ago,” he said. He is pondering ways of managing this change that are inclusive and take advantage of the progress brought by technology, while recognizing that we are all part of a global community that will eventually be interdependent, he said. Obama discussed meeting former secretary of defense Bob Gates during his first week in office. Gates offered him a piece of advice — with two million employees in government, he could be guaranteed that at any time, someone, somewhere was making a mistake. That included Obama’s colleagues at the White House, so Obama set out to make sure they were making “the right kind of” mistakes, he said. It also meant tasking only people “with integrity” with making important decisions. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content “It’s because you believe in the mission, not because you want something,” he said. “I’m proud we left (the White House) without a scandal,” he added, to applause. Obama discussed the late Arizona Sen John McCain’s nomination of Sarah Palin as vice-president when McCain ran against Obama for the presidency in 2008. This, Obama said, brought a type of populism to the Republican Party that paved the way for President Donald Trump. “That’s the moment when … what was considered the establishment or mainstream Republicans lost control of the party,” he said. Obama said he sees Canada and the U.S. as the strongest of allies and the closest of friends, and described tensions between the two countries during his time in office, particularly over timber agreements, as “incidental” when considered on a global political scale. He said he worries more about changes coming to Western democracies that over time have become more inclusive — a value that is at-risk and must be defended. “For all of us who are lucky enough to live in these countries and be citizens in these countries … that’s really important,” he said. Photo by Arlen Redekop / PNG Obama said it’s also important to address economic inequalities such as the chronic underfunding of education, which he worries is leading to more extreme political movements and reactions. He is concerned about artificial intelligence, its rapid evolution over the next 15-25 years and how it will eliminate vast sections of the job market. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content And he spoke at length about climate change, acknowledging that while many jobs in Canada and the U.S. depend on oil-and-gas, fossil fuels are driving that change, leading to wildfires, hurricanes and health problems. “The facts are, the planet’s getting warmer,” he said. With a large percentage of the human race living in coastal regions, and facing monsoons and rising sea levels, he suggested that concerns about migration and pandemic will only become more urgent as the Earth’s temperature rises. Obama said that while there is only a 20-year window during which humans can take Earth in a “smarter direction,” he believes it’s possible. “We’re clever enough that if we start now, we can make some real progress on this,” he said. Obama said he believes there are already solutions to the issues that matter most to him such as climate change, inequality and poverty, and opportunities for youth, but they aren’t used to their full potential due to “the human dimension,” which includes politics.<doc-sep>
Send this page to someone via email Wearing a navy blue suit and a crisp white shirt Barack Obama entered Bell MTS Place Monday like a rock star. The crowd of about 13,500 people roared for the 44th President of the United States on his Winnipeg stop on his ‘A Conversation with President Barack Obama’ tour. READ MORE: RCMP working with Secret Service to provide security for Obama Moderator Michael Burns, former CEO of the Invictus Games, started the conversation by asking Obama about his family, specifically his wife Michelle. “She is a star and rightfully so,” Obama said. Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "She is a star and rightfully so," Obama said. “Michelle, as you may have heard, wrote a book. It’s doing OK,” he said with a laugh. He said his children are doing very well and stressed that their generation has a few things figured out, like not treating people differently based on their race or sexual orientation. Story continues below advertisement Obama said there is a danger in the United States and around the world with politics being driven by passions disconnected from facts. While never mentioning current U.S. President Donald Trump, Obama says he’s worried if there was a major crisis today, the response may not follow common sense or practicality. Obama said major changes are truly grassroots driven. “Ultimately change is going to come from the people,” he said. Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Ultimately change is going to come from the people," he said. “If citizens insist on integrity, if citizens insist on facts and if citizens participate, that’s how change happens.” He also gave advice on what makes a good organization, or what should be part of a good team. “People ask me a lot about leadership and what are the qualities of putting together an effective organization and it’s a cliché but it’s the people that matter,” he said. He continued that there are a few key factors you have to think when building a team, looking for people with integrity, a diversity of views, people who are competent and to not be afraid if you’re not the smartest person in the room. Story continues below advertisement “I would be in the Situation Room or some big meeting and would say until you can explain it to me, we aren’t going anywhere,” he said. He also spoke about his relationship with his Canadian counterparts — Stephen Harper and Justin Trudeau. “Both Stephen and Justin and I had terrific relationships,” he said. Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Both Stephen and Justin and I had terrific relationships," he said. “Partly because the United States and Canada, let’s face it we are cousins, we are family.” He joked that one of the problems we have here in Canada is we have specific issues that aren’t on the priority page of other countries. Saying Trudeau would call him about “certain things that are important to you that nobody cares about” like timber. Story continues below advertisement True North Sports and Entertainment said other than tickets to Metallica, Obama’s tickets sold faster than any other events at Bell MTS Place in recent years. Those who paid the price to attend were not disappointed. Some people leaving the venue afterward said he could have talked more about present-day events, but were otherwise thrilled with the experience. “He didn’t really discuss a lot of current events, it was a lot of reflection on his time as president, I thought it was great.” “You felt he was talking to you, and not thousands of people in a group. It was very well worth it.” Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "You felt he was talking to you, and not thousands of people in a group. It was very well worth it." “I had to use all my self control to not run up the isle and shake his hand.” Several fans said listening to the conversation gave them hope for the future. “If the rest of the world would listen to him, we’d be a much better place.” “[He] talked a lot about the young people and how the young people are going to change the world in a positive way.” Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "[He] talked a lot about the young people and how the young people are going to change the world in a positive way."