Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MP Jamie Schmale said the only surprising thing about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation announcement Jan. 6 was that it took the three-term leader so long to make it.
Trudeau, who has been the federal Liberal leader since 2013 and prime minister since 2015, said he will step down once the party has chosen a successor. Governor General Mary Simon has prorogued Parliament until March 24 to allow for that process to unfold.
An election is to take place by Oct. 20.
“I think most people were expecting something to happen, just based on the fact a number of Trudeau’s caucus in different regions – notably Quebec and Atlantic Canada – came out and said he needs to resign,” Schmale said. “Despite every attempt to hang on, I think it was inevitable he took this step.”
It’s been a tough month for Trudeau, who saw his deputy PM and finance minister, Chrystia Freeland, suddenly resign Dec. 16. Freeland said she and Trudeau “found ourselves at odds about the best path forward for Canada” in recent weeks.
This came after the federal Conservatives, NDP and Bloc all said they had lost confidence in the prime minister.
“I think there were a number of things stacked against him, and this was kind of his only option left,” Schmale told The Highlander Jan. 7.
With an election on the horizon, the local MP confirmed he is seeking a fourth term in office – this time under the new Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes banner. It was announced in 2023 Brock township would split from its usual running mates to join the new riding of York-Durham, with Peterborough County, Trent Lakes and parts of North Kawartha added.
Schmale said he’s excited to speak with constituents about their concerns ahead of the fall vote. He expects the cost-ofliving crisis, housing and crime to be key themes.
“Our first priority is going to be fixing the budget – we’re now paying more in interest payments on the national debt than some provinces are receiving for health care,” Schmale said.
He believes the Conservatives’ plan to eliminate the federal carbon tax will help to make life more affordable for Canadians.
“It’s responsible for food prices going up, for fuel prices going up. Anyone that manufactures something or receives a product made by something that is impacted by the carbon tax will see an increase in prices across the supply chain. We want to cut that to bring down the cost of living,” Schmale said.
The Conservatives are also pitching a revamped housing initiative, eliminating “bureaucratic red tape” to make it easier for developers to build; new measures to ensure violent repeat offenders receive longer jail sentences; and supports for businesses in the oil and gas, mining and lumber sectors to help reignite Canada’s economy, Schmale added.
He also wants to see more money invested at the Canadian and U.S. border and additional focus on enhancing energy-related trade with America.
“The border is just like Swiss cheese for drugs, automobile thefts, weapons smuggling, human trafficking… we want a safe country for Canadian citizens,” Schmale said.
On the threat of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump imposing tariffs on Canadian imports, Schmale said, “Canada has a lot of what the U.S. and the world is looking for – a good partner with lots of natural resources that has responsible extraction and some of the toughest labour laws anywhere. We can provide that energy – we have the ability.”
