Bryce was first elected to the House of Commons of Canada in a 1943 by-election, during a period of increased popularity for the federal CCF.

Running in the riding of Selkirk, Bryce defeated his Liberal opponent Charles Fillmore by about 5500 votes.

He was a leading advocate for farmer's concerns during his time in parliament, and generally avoided ideological debates.

As it happened, Bryce decided to stay in federal politics and Lloyd Stinson was chosen provincial leader in 1953.

He was re-elected in the 1957 election, but fell to Progressive Conservative Eric Stefanson in John Diefenbaker's landslide victory of 1958.