Our Speaker today was Brian Riddell our local MPP

In this speech, Brian, a former professor with three decades of experience in the private sector, shares his journey into politics. His career path was diverse, starting as a photographer for the Edmonton Journal before returning to Cambridge to work as a millwright. He eventually transitioned into the automotive and tire industries, traveling extensively as a field engineer and later becoming a national sales manager.
He retired from the private sector to teach, a long-held passion, and was inspired to enter politics after a childhood visit to the Peace Tower in Ottawa. Brian believed he could do a better job than other politicians and decided to run for office. He describes his first election as a victory against the odds and his initial time at the legislature as a steep learning curve, with no formal training on protocol or procedures.
Brian details his work as a parliamentary assistant and a committee chair for justice and social policy, highlighting his role in working with different levels of government and his staff to help constituents. His main priorities are advocating for Cambridge and the North Dumfries Township, with a focus on safety, particularly in the downtown area, and improving the hospital and transportation infrastructure.
He concludes by acknowledging the slow pace of government processes, such as pushing a bill through the legislature, and the challenges of bipartisan cooperation. Despite the difficulties, Brian emphasizes that his greatest reward is the satisfaction of helping people in his community.

Roger Mann thanked Brian for coming.  Brian could have answered more questions but his staff said he had another meeting to attend.

Past Prez gave the official thanks of donating to n give polio shots to  10 willing children.