Haliburton--Kawartha Lakes

Haliburton--Kawartha Lakes is a vast rural and cottage-country riding in central Ontario that has been a Conservative stronghold since 2006. Incumbent Jamie Schmale, first elected in 2015, sought a fourth term in 2025 under slightly redrawn boundaries -- the riding lost the Township of Brock to the new York--Durham riding and was renamed from Haliburton--Kawartha Lakes--Brock.

Candidates

Jamie Schmale (Conservative)* -- Raised in Bobcaygeon and now based in Lindsay, Schmale graduated from Loyalist College's radio broadcasting program and began his career as a news anchor and later news director for CHUM Media's 91.9 FM CKLY in Lindsay. He spent over a decade as campaign manager and executive assistant to former MP Barry Devolin before winning the riding himself in 2015. He has served continuously since then.

Nell Thomas (Liberal) -- Dr. Thomas is a rural family physician with the Haliburton Highlands Family Health Team since 2013. She has also worked as a speech-language pathologist and environmental advocate. She founded the FOOD ALLIANCE to improve food security in the region and mentors medical students through the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Her campaign emphasized Canadian self-sufficiency in energy, food production, and housing.

Alyea Teel (NDP) -- Born and raised in the Kawartha Lakes, Teel works in the service industry and was completing her bachelor's degree at Nipissing University during the campaign, with aspirations to become an educator. She also worked with BGC Kawarthas as a summer camp leader and served as a private tutor.

Michael Penman (People's Party - PPC) -- The People's Party candidate in Haliburton--Kawartha Lakes.

About the Riding

Covering nearly 8,700 square kilometres, Haliburton--Kawartha Lakes stretches from the City of Kawartha Lakes in the south through Haliburton County in the north, encompassing the Municipality of Trent Lakes, North Kawartha Township, and Cavan-Monaghan Township. The landscape is defined by the Canadian Shield, dense forests, and hundreds of lakes that have made it one of Ontario's most popular cottage destinations.

The riding's economy reflects its dual character. In Haliburton County, tourism dominates: the ratio of seasonal to year-round properties runs roughly three to one, and employment revolves around residential construction, resorts, services, and retail catering to the cottage population. The City of Kawartha Lakes, centred on Lindsay, has a more diversified economic base but still relies heavily on agriculture, small business, and services.

Key local issues in the 2025 campaign included healthcare access -- a persistent concern in rural Ontario where doctor shortages and long travel times to hospitals affect residents -- as well as housing affordability, internet connectivity in remote areas, and the economic impact of U.S. trade tensions on local agriculture and tourism. Voter turnout in the riding was over 71 per cent, reflecting strong engagement despite its large geographic footprint.