Former Portage—Lisgar MP Candice Bergen received a heartfelt honour this week, being awarded the 2024 Jim Carr Forest Community Champion Award. Presented by the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, the award recognized Bergen’s years of dedication to Canada’s forestry sector and rural communities.
Sharing the spotlight with retired Senator Percy Mockler and Chief Paul Gladu, Bergen expressed her surprise and gratitude for the recognition.
“I was very surprised and honoured to be given the award last week in Ottawa. Jim Carr was a former colleague of mine, a former Manitoba MP, and he passed away a couple of years ago. Receiving this honour was just really amazing and I feel so privileged, and I'm blessed to be able to receive it.”
During her time as an MP, she was a vocal supporter of the forestry industry, recognizing its critical role in the Canadian economy and in the communities she served.
“We have this product that we grow right across the country. It's a major industry; we can grow this incredible product, harvest it and then make products the world needs in a sustainable, clean way. As we're looking at our environment, we want to be the most responsible. I've just been talking about how incredible our forestry sector is. The men and women who work in the forestry sector.”
Beyond her political career, Bergen now works in strategic consulting, advising CEOs on leadership and how to engage with the evolving political landscape.
When asked how she felt about the future of the forestry industry, Bergen was confident, praising the current Portage—Lisgar MP Branden Leslie.
“He's obviously a big supporter of natural resources in Canada as well, and I've no doubt he'll be an advocate and champion for forestry, agriculture, mining, oil and gas.”
While Bergen’s days as an MP may be behind her, she still enjoys a busy schedule.
“I've been enjoying spending time with my grandchildren, my family, and doing a little bit of travel. But I'm not done; I'm just looking at my life and saying, ‘Wow, every day is better than the day before.’ I'm looking forward to the future.”