DYLAN ROBICHAUD, Office of Jamie Schmale MPP
KAWARTHA LAKES: Local MP Jamie Schmale will return to a familiar portfolio as part of a Shadow Cabinet shuffle announced Wednesday, February 10th, by the Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition and the Conservative Party of Canada. The move coincides with a renewed focus on getting Canadians back to work, rebuilding Canada’s economy, and securing our future.
Schmale will move from his current role as Shadow Minister for Families, Children and Social Development to Shadow Minister for Crown-Indigenous Relations. This is the second time that MP Schmale will hold this position. He previously served under the former Leader Andrew Scheer from November 2019 to October 2020.
“It is an honour to have been named the Shadow Minster for Crown-Indigenous Relations. I spent a year forging relationships with Chiefs and Indigenous organizations and advocates from coast to coast to coast. I am very eager to get back to work supporting our strong Conservative approach to reconciliation and building strong Indigenous economies and communities,” said Schmale.
“The pandemic has hit Indigenous peoples and communities particularly hard. It is imperative that we work with Indigenous leaders and stakeholders to ensure Indigenous people are supported during this crisis and that there is meaningful engagement to ensure a full economic recovery post-COVID-19,” added MPP Schmale.
“I want to thank Cathy McLeod for her outstanding work as the previous Shadow Minister for Crown-Indigenous Relations. She has served her riding of Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo with distinction, and I wish her well in the next chapter of her life.”