Conservative MP on the rural-urban divide, firearms, and the role of law students in a democracy
Jamie Schmale (CPC), the newly re-elected Member of Federal Parliament for the rural Central-Ontario riding of Haliburton – Kawartha Lakes – Brock recently sat down with Obiter’s Opinion Editor, Corey LeBlanc, to speak about rural – urban issues, firearms, and the involvement of law students in the democratic process. What follows is a transcript of that discussion.
Can you tell us a bit about your time before politics?
Although I now call Lindsay home, I was born in Brampton and raised in Bobcaygeon. I attended Fenelon Falls High School and later Loyalist College in Belleville. I graduated from the Radio Broadcasting program, which I put to use as a journalist for several years before my career in politics began. I devoted years to improving my community as a volunteer for numerous charities and not-for-profit organizations, as a journalist and news director, and as executive assistant to former Member of Parliament Barry Devolin.
Can you tell us a bit about your riding of Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock?
Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock is a thriving riding that spans 8,941 km2, with a steadily-growing population of 113,956 constituents. Our riding has a diverse range of constituents from countless demographics. While we traditionally have a large number of seniors and seasonal residents, we are finding that there is a growing number of commuters moving to our area. To that end, the main economic drivers outside government are agriculture, tourism and manufacturing.
Many students at Osgoode Hall Law School hail not from rural Ontario, but from the Greater Toronto Area as well as other major metropolitan census areas such as Vancouver or Calgary – can you tell us about the interdependence between your riding and the people of the City of Toronto, considering the role the tourist industry plays in your region’s economy?
As you have highlighted, Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock welcomes many tourists from the GTA each summer and winter. In the Northern areas of our riding, we have a booming cottage economy which is supported by visitors from across Canada. During our peak season, you can find visitors and locals mingling and enjoying area restaurants, shops, cafes, music, countless festivals and outdoor activities. Each one helps to support the local economy. As well, many residents in the southern areas of our riding commute to and from the GTA every day, and bring the best of the “Big City” back to our smaller communities.
Can you tell us about the importance of firearms in the daily lives of many in rural Canada, including those from your riding who may be farmers, outdoorsmen, or Indigenous peoples?
In rural Ontario, firearms play a significant role in providing safety and security to rural dwellers. Not only relied on by farmers for protection of their livestock, but we also have a local economy that is supported by responsible hunting. As a member of the Conservative’s Hunting and Angling Caucus, I hear everyday about the vital role that responsible gun ownership plays in Canadians’ lives.
What do you think about a proposed municipal “ban” on hand-guns in the City of Toronto? Do you think this would be effective? Why or why not?
Experts say that the best way to make our country safer is to tackle criminals and gangs who use illegal weapons to commit violent crimes. I don’t believe a firearms ban would be effective. Criminals do not register their firearms, and they will not comply with any new legislation that is put forward. The Liberal government’s approach also fails to introduce stricter penalties for criminals who smuggle guns across the border, into our cities. As such, imposing new laws on criminals who aren’t following laws already on the books does nothing to solve the problem of firearm and gang violence. It only provides innocent people with a false sense of security.
What do you think about the Liberal Party’s proposal to ban “assault rifles” in Canada in the recent federal election campaign? Do you know how the governing party defines “assault rifle”?
Full-auto assault rifles are already banned in Canada. The Liberal Party’s plan to ask law-abiding firearms owners to follow more laws is not only lazy, but also ineffective. The government must not let gangsters and violent criminals off easy, while targeting honest firearms owners.
Any last words to the students at Osgoode Hall?
I am inspired and proud to see that the next generation is prepared to take part and make their voices heard in our democratic system. No matter where we sit on the ideological spectrum, every Canadian has a right to voice their opinion, and we all have a duty to be fair and tolerant towards each other. During this election, my fellow candidates and I all agreed on one thing – we want to see a better Canada, but we all have different ideas of how to get there. It is my personal hope that the next generation will work together to effectively solve the problems that Canadians will face. I know that your experience and hard-work spent learning at Osgoode Hall will benefit many in your future service, and hope that you all can work together to create a better future for all Canadians.