Candice Bergen

Candice Bergen is a prominent Canadian politician who represented the riding of Portage—Lisgar, Manitoba, in the House of Commons from 2008 until 2023 and served as interim leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and Leader of the Official Opposition in 2022.

Early Life and Background

Born on September 28, 1964, in Morden, Manitoba, Bergen is the youngest of eight siblings raised in a Mennonite family and attended a Pentecostal church. After high school, she lived in Winnipeg and British Columbia before returning to Morden to raise her family and support her husband through university.wikipedia

Entry into Federal Politics

Bergen entered politics driven by concerns over federal spending, volunteering for the Canadian Alliance’s local riding association. She managed Stephen Harper’s 2004 leadership campaign in Manitoba before seeking office herself.wikipedia

Member of Parliament for Portage—Lisgar (2008–2023)

• First elected (as Candice Hoeppner) on October 14, 2008, winning 68.27% of the vote.wikipedia

• Re-elected in 2011 (75.99%), 2015 (60.84%), 2019 (70.79%), and 2021 (52.52%).wikipedia

• Resigned her seat on February 28, 2023, announcing she would not run in the next federal election.wikipedia

Cabinet and Parliamentary Roles

• Chair & Committee Memberships: Chaired the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities; vice-chair of the Status of Women Committee; member of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Committee; and executive roles in Canada-Japan and Canada-Australia-New Zealand inter-parliamentary groups.wikipedia

• Repeal of Long-Gun Registry: Introduced Bill C-391 in 2009 to repeal the registry; it passed second reading but ultimately stalled on a Liberal motion.wikipedia

• Parliamentary Secretary & Minister:

  • Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety (2011–2013), working on Bill C-19 to end the long-gun registry.wikipedia

  • Minister of State for Social Development (July 15, 2013 – November 4, 2015) under Prime Minister Stephen Harper, focusing on homelessness and disability supports.wikipedia

Opposition Leadership and Interim Party Leader

• Opposition House Leader under Rona Ambrose (2016–2020) and Andrew Scheer.wikipedia

• Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party (2020–Feb 2 2022) under Erin O’Toole.wikipedia

• Interim Leader of the Conservative Party and Leader of the Official Opposition from February 2 to September 10, 2022, elected by caucus following O’Toole’s removal. During this period, she appointed a deputy leader and Quebec lieutenant and navigated the party through the Ontario convoy protests and leadership transition.wikipedia

Political Positions

• Social and Fiscal Conservatism: Known for blending social conservative values with pragmatic moderation, appealing across party wings.wikipedia

• Anti-Abortion Stance: Voted in favour of sex-selective abortion legislation (Bill C-233) and identified as personally anti-abortion.wikipedia

• Conversion Therapy: Voted against banning conversion therapy due to concerns over bill wording, yet supported removing traditional marriage definitions to endorse same-sex marriage.wikipedia

• Rural Advocacy: Emphasized rural issues, national debt reduction, and postal code fairness in housing and social development programs.wikipedia

Personal Life

• Married David Hoeppner in 1986 (three children), competed under the name Candice Hoeppner until resuming her birth name in 2012 following separation.wikipedia

• Married retired teacher Michael Harris on October 11, 2020.wikipedia

• In March 2023, became campaign co-chair for the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba in the provincial election.wikipedia

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candice_Bergen_(politician)
2. https://canadastrongandfree.network/speakers/hon-candice-bergen/
3. https://prairieskystrategy.ca/candice-bergen-elected-interim-conservative-leader/
4. https://www.biography.com/actors/a45861994/candice-bergen
5. https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/candice-bergen-not-running-1.6573349
6. https://www.tribute.ca/people/biography/candice-bergen/5416/
7. https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/bergen-step-down-mp-1.6733250
8. https://macleans.ca/politics/ottawa/who-is-candice-bergen-the-interim-conservative-leader/
9. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candice_Bergen
10. https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en/candice-bergen(59110)/roles
11. https://bobzimmer.ca/mp-zimmer-congratulates-interim-leader-candice-bergen/
12. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Candice-Bergen
13. https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candice_Bergen_(femme_politique)
14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9KkSVL7lyc
15. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000298/bio/
16. https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en/59110
17. https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/1.3302925
18. https://www.davidsheff.com/candice-bergen
19. https://www.instagram.com/candicebergen.ca/?hl=en
20. https://house.fandom.com/wiki/Candice_Bergen