"2021 has been a year of highs and lows and ups and downs. And so, when I look back and I look at some of the things that I'm proud of, they also can have a few lows intertwined with those moments of pride."

That's from Member of Parliament for Portage-Lisgar and the deputy leader of the Conservative Party Candice Bergen, as she notes it was somewhat of a different year.

"I'm really proud of the fact that we were a strong opposition," says Bergen. "We obviously want to be in government, but being in opposition is an important job, and so there were some things that we were able to accomplish that I'm proud of. One is ensuring and pushing the government to get vaccines to Canadians. It's funny -- it was just a year ago that we had no vaccines or very few vaccines, and everybody else around the world was getting their vaccine doses and Canada was behind. So, it was because conservatives pushed."

Bergen says they were also pushing and talking about rapid testing.

"I'm proud of the work that we did, ensuring that Canadians had what they needed to fight this pandemic, and then also get support that they needed for small businesses," adds Bergen. "Now, obviously, the downside to that is a year later, we're still struggling with COVID. And I think people have about had enough, so they want to make sure they've got their vaccines, for the most part. Then they want to be able to learn to live with COVID instead of this constant shutdown and shutting down our lives and our businesses."

She notes another highlight was the election.

"I was obviously very happy and very honoured to have been given a fifth mandate and to receive the support of people in Portage-Lisgar," continues Bergen. "It was a tough election. There were certain politicians who were trying to be very divisive, and we're very happy to see some of the difficulties that our riding was going through as far as vaccines. I felt it was very important for me to not be a politician who divides people, but rather bring people together. So, I literally talked to thousands of people on the phone and at the door explaining to them why we believe that vaccines are important. But we also believe that it's important that government respects people's freedom when it comes to their health choices."

Bergen explains, as conservatives, they think both can be done.

"You can encourage people to get a vaccine, but also respect their right to make their choice," notes Bergen. "It was definitely a very a positive feeling to win the election, but it was a difficult election. So, again, an example of a high mixed with a little bit of a low at same time."