Joe Biden quips he wants leadership tips from Valrie Plante

Before beginning the speech, former U.S. vice-president Joe Biden said he had to take a detour to the stage so he could meet Montreal Mayor Valrie Plante and quipped he needed some tips on leadership from her.

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It's unclear if the two ended up meetingbefore or after the talk, but Biden was the one to request it.

Bidengave a talk at PalaisdescongrsWednesday afternoonat a business conference.

Tickets for the day-long conference cost $500 or more. It was closed off to media.

"Changing a culture, whether it's a work one or society, is never popular," he said, of the act that it has since been renewed with expanded provisions.

Biden is the fourth celebrityDemocrat to come to town in the last six months. Former U.S. president Barack Obama gave a speech organized by the Montreal Chamber of Commerce, which was live-streamed.

Former secretary of state and U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton made a stop on her book tour in October.

And Bill Clinton appeared at an eventwith former prime minister Jean Chrtienorganized and sponsored by theCanadian American Business Council, alsoin October.