The Hon. Candice Bergen was first elected to the House of Commons in 2008 and was re-elected in the 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2021 elections, representing the riding Portage-Lisgar in Manitoba and is currently serving as Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and the Official Opposition.

Between 2013 and 2015, Candice served as Canada’s Minister of State for Social Development, having previously served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety. In her role as Minister of State for Social Development, she worked with all provinces and territories to ensure Canada’s affordable housing programs were fair to taxpayers and sustainable for those families needing support. She also reformed the government’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy towards an evidence-based, housing-first approach that produced measurable results in reducing homelessness. As the lead Minister responsible for the Office of Disability Issues, Candice ensured families and Canadians living with disabilities were supported through world-leading programs such as the Registered Disability Savings Plan, Opportunities Fund and Enabling Accessibility Fund.

In November 2015, Candice was appointed to the Opposition Shadow Cabinet as Critic for the Natural Resources Portfolio. On September 15, 2016 Candice was appointed as Conservative House Leader by Interim Conservative Leader, Rona Ambrose. In August 2017, she was reappointed as the Conservative House Leader by Party leader, Andrew Scheer. In August 2020, Candice was appointed by Conservative Leader, the Hon. Erin O’Toole, as Deputy Leader. She was reappointed to the role in November 2021. On February 2, 2022, Candice was elected by her caucus colleagues to serve as Interim Leader.

Candice brings extensive experience in both the business and political communities. Prior to becoming a Member of Parliament, she worked in the financial planning industry, and was the Manitoba Campaign Manager for Stephen Harper’s leadership bid for the Conservative Party of Canada. She has also acted as an advisor to several Members of Parliament and served as Chief Organizer for the Conservative Party of Canada in Manitoba.

Candice is also committed to her community and has done extensive volunteer work within Manitoba. She has dedicated her time to various youth groups and has worked with at-risk youth as well adults in correctional facilities. She has also volunteered with the palliative care program at her local hospital, Boundary Trails Health Centre.

Born in Morden, Manitoba, Candice now resides in Oak Bluff, Manitoba with her husband, Michael.