Big crowd for former first lady Michelle Obama’s event in Montreal

Months after her husband delivered a speech to a sold-out crowd, it is former U.S. first lady Michelle Obama’s turn to visit Montreal. (Photo by Kunal Shah/Flickr, CC BY-ND 2.0)

MONTREAL — Months after her husband delivered a speech to a sold-out crowd, it is former U.S. first lady Michelle Obama’s turn to visit Montreal.

Obama took part in a question-and-answer session in front of a crowd of more than 10,000 people at the convention centre Monday evening.

She is participating in a discussion with Sevrine Labelle, the president of an organization that supports female entrepreneurs.

The event is organized by the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal, which also organized last year’s event featuring former U.S. president Barack Obama — who drew 7,900 people to his talk in June.

Former U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also spoke in the city last year as part of a promotional tour for her book.

Since leaving the White House, Michelle Obama has worked with her husband at their Chicago-based foundation, which aims to help citizens make a commitment to improve their society.

Several dignitaries are expected to attend, including Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard, Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante and Sophie Gregoire- Trudeau, the wife of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.