Former Leader of the Canadian Alliance Stockwell Day was the guest speaker at this morning's Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast.

Day says its ironic coming back to Central Alberta, at a time when the two right wing provincial parties are discussing a merger.

"Lots of memories being here. Because it was right here on these grounds 17 years ago that we started the whole initiative to unite Conservative thinking people nationwide, federally. That job was finally completed, and it can be done here in Alberta too."

Speaking to a packed crowd at the Westerner about his time as a politician, Day says some of the most valuable lessons he learned about politics, came from his time as MLA for Red Deer North.

"First being elected right here in Central Alberta, I learned the importance of things like door knocking. Listening to people. Getting out of the office. The importance one vote can make, and keeping people's taxes down. All those were lessons that I learned right here in Red Deer, and I was able to take those to Edmonton, then on to Ottawa."

Day says while he hasn't quite retired - still running a government relations firm and advising political campaigns - he's enjoying being able to spend more time with his family, and grandchildren.