Conmee ran unsuccessfully in 1896 for the Nipissing seat in the House of Commons before being elected in 1904 on a platform of supporting Sir Wilfrid Laurier's transcontinental railway policy which would bring enormous benefits to his constituency.
In 1896, Conmee did not secure the Nipissing seat in the House of Commons. However, he was elected in 1904 on a platform supporting Sir Wilfrid Laurier's transcontinental railway policy, which would bring substantial benefits to his constituency.