Bush to speak to Calgary audience

Former U.S. president George W. Bush will give one of his first speeches since leaving office to a Calgary audience next month.

Organizers Andy McCreath and Christian Darbyshire said Bush will speak to an anticipated audience of 1,500 at a private event on March 17 at the Telus Convention Centre.

Darbyshire declined to give details on how much tickets will cost, what Bush will speak about or whether the former president is being paid for his appearance.

The same organizers reportedly paid former U.S. president Bill Clinton $150,000 for a March 2006 speech in Edmonton, and have hired Lance Armstrong and Colin Powell for other high-profile speaking engagements in the past.

Invitations to the event say Bush will share his thoughts "on eight momentous years in the Oval Office."

The former president will also speak about "the challenges facing the world in the 21st century."