Portage—Lisgar

Portage—Lisgar is a large rural riding in southern Manitoba that stretches from the U.S. border northward to Lake Manitoba, west of Winnipeg. It encompasses the cities of Portage la Prairie, Winkler, and Morden, as well as the towns of Carman, Morris, Altona, and numerous smaller agricultural communities across the Pembina Valley and central plains. The riding has been one of the safest Conservative seats in the country, reflecting the area's deep social and fiscal conservatism.

Candidates

Candice Bergen (Conservative) — The incumbent MP, first elected in 2008 under her then-married name Candice Hoeppner. Originally from Morden, Bergen had worked in the financial planning industry and served as Manitoba campaign manager for Stephen Harper's 2004 Conservative leadership bid before entering Parliament. She served as parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and later as Minister of State for Social Development.

Ken Werbiski (Liberal) — The Liberal candidate in the riding.

Dean Harder (NDP) — The NDP candidate in the riding.

Beverley Eert (Green Party) — The Green Party candidate.

Jerome Dondo (Christian Heritage Party) — The Christian Heritage Party candidate.

About the Riding

Portage la Prairie, with a population of roughly 13,000, sits along the Trans-Canada Highway and serves as a distribution and agri-processing hub. Winkler and Morden, in the Pembina Valley, are among Manitoba's fastest-growing communities, driven by manufacturing, food processing, and a large Mennonite population. Agriculture dominates the local economy — canola, wheat, and other grains are staple crops, and the region is also significant for hog production and dairy farming. The eastern portion of Spruce Woods Provincial Park lies within the riding. The Mennonite and German cultural heritage of many communities shapes the riding's social character. In 2015, issues included agricultural trade policy, rural infrastructure, and support for family farms.