Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MP Jamie Schmale was appointed the new shadow minister for Indigenous Services in Canada’s 44th Parliament on Nov. 9, according to a press release sent from Schmale’s office. 

“The news comes as part of a team of critics announced today by Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole,” reads the news. That team includes recently-elected Peterborough-Kawartha Conservative MP Michelle Ferreri, named shadow minister for Tourism and Hastings-Lennox and Addington MP Shelby Kramp-Neuman, named shadow minister for Seniors.

“I’m looking forward to my new role as shadow minister for Indigenous Services,” said Schmale. “This presents an opportunity to expand on the experience I gained while in Crown-Indigenous Relations.”

In 2019, Schmale served as the shadow minister for Crown-Indigenous Relations under previous Conservative leader Andrew Scheer, and as shadow minister for Families, Children and Social Development in 2020 under O’Toole. Earlier this year after another shuffle, Schmale served again at Crown-Indigenous Relations until recently.

In a press release, Schmale said he looked forward to working with Indigenous leaders and communities to address what he called “outstanding issues,” including availability of clean drinking water to Indigenous communities; adequate healthcare and housing for Indigenous families and children; public safety issues on reserves through increased Indigenous led restorative justice measures and increased powers for First Nations policing services. 

The House of Commons is set to begin sitting on Nov. 22.

– Staff