Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
Candice Bergen (Photo credit: Bernard Thibodeau, House of Commons Photo Services)
Feb. 28

Chamber town hall proceeds with Bergen instead of O’Toole

Feb 7, 2022 | 11:20 AM

Local business leaders will still get to hear from Canada’s opposition leader this month, but that will now be Candice Bergen instead of Erin OToole.

O’Toole was ousted as the Conservative party leader last week with Bergen being chosen as the interim leader.

Bergen will take the place of O’Toole in a previously announced virtual town hall with Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce members Monday, Feb. 28 from 12 to 1 p.m.

“We appreciate Ms. Bergen making the time to meet with our members as it’s important that elected officials hear directly from entrepreneurs about the challenges they face during the pandemic and moving into recovery,” said Dan Proulx, Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce general manager. “With a membership of 600-plus and the voice of business since 1897, the chamber is committed to connecting the local business community with those who have the ability to influence policy.”

(Image credit: Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce)

Mel Arnold, MP for North Okanagan-Shuswap and deputy shadow minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, will also be part of the town hall and chamber members will have an opportunity to ask questions.

Bergen was first elected to the House of Commons in 2008 and was re-elected in 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2021, representing Portage-Lisgar, Man. Between 2013 and 2015, she served as minister of state for social development in the Conservative government. In November 2015, she was named to the Tory’s shadow cabinet as critic for natural resources and has subsequently served as Conservative house leader and deputy leader.

Prior to entering politics, Bergen worked in the financial planning industry.

Details on registration for chamber members only is available here.

View Comments