Mennonites across Canada will get some recognition for the contributions they've made to this country.

Parliament recently passed a motion declaring the second week in September as Mennonite Heritage Week.

The motion was introduced by B.C. Conservative MP Ed Fast and supported by fellow Conservative MP Candice Bergen.

Bergen admits its a little ironic to designate a week on the calendar to Mennonites.

"Usually Mennonites don't draw attention to themselves, go about their work, create jobs, help people around us and don't ask for a lot of accolades. So, I was really happy to see Ed bring this bill forward and pleased that I was able to participate in the debate a couple of weeks ago."

While Mennonites have made many contributions to Canadian society, their work goes beyond this country's borders, according to Bergen.

The MP for Portage-Lisgar relates how she was recently interviewed about a documentary that focused on Mennonites. She recalls being asked whether the world would be impacted negatively if there were no Mennonites in it.

"My answer to him was 'yes'. If you think of any disaster around the world, any crisis around the world or any need around the world, there's a group of Mennonites there helping those people who are in that disaster or crisis. If you think of refugees around the world who seek refuge in Canada, and right across the country Mennonites in Canada are helping those refugees. I believe the world is a better place because of Mennonites and because of the impact they have on helping people."

Bergen says in addition to all of that, Mennonites have made great contributions to their communities and to the country in the areas of agriculture, business, food and music.