Darrell Patan, representing the Canadian Future Party, is one of four candidates contesting the Battlefords–Lloydminster–Meadow Lake seat in the 2025 federal election.
Patan's bio page on the Canadian Future Party website lists him as a lifelong resident of the Lloydminster region, where he had been in the construction industry since high school after taking over the family business.
Patan has been semi-retired since 2019 after a worksite injury and decided to jump into politics with his extra time.
"Got hurt on a jobsite, and my opportunities became open to look for a different path... Silly enough I found this one," said Patan during a phone interview. "I am passionate about politics, passionate about my family, and the people around me."
Now dipping his toe into politics with the CFP, Patan will be the first to tell you he's not a career politician. He's just a dedicated and passionate individual and felt like the Canadian Future Party was the right brand for his new political life.
Understandably a tall task, Patan was asked what the CFP would do for Canada if elected.
"The CFP, we were founded in 2024 based on past MPs, and other citizens who just have a big love for Canada. We felt Canada needed something new. We are committed to democracy as the only legitimate form of government, and we use evidence-based decision making as the heart of our ideology."
Patan said the CFP isn't about towing the party line, staying away from potential influences on one side or another.
"We will not be using lobbyists to make decisions. That's happened too long in Ottawa."
Because of that notion, another main point for the CFP this election is reforming how MPs do their job. Patan talked about looking into the ways MPs are allowed to operate in the House of Commons, saying it will, "only be party line on any Policy platform made during election", stating that it will take place, "while only at the highest level, such as those items within the platform MPs ran on", as it would then become a whipped vote following party lines."
Patan then referenced current parliamentary procedure when it comes to the party line vote, saying that in many cases if members don't vote with their leader, they tend to either get removed or punished severely, something the CFP is against.
Other goals for a CFP government include protecting Canada's independence, strength in society and public institutions. They want to make democracy deliver for Canadians.
"It's one thing to talk about promises. It's another thing to do them."
A big topic for voters in the riding is how their federal representative will assist with policy relating to key sectors like agriculture and energy. Patan wants to make sure voters know they have options during these "scary times" as he called them.
"In a situation when you have nations pressing on you, between sanctions, threats of annexation; we need to make sure Canada is safe.
"But then also if other countries are choosing to become more inward, Canada has so much to offer to the entire world. We have natural resources, minerals, ores. We want to become the new party to make North America the Canadian, northern economic superpower. If the US wants to start doing what they are doing, we will gladly take their place." said Patan as there is tons of potential in Canada, if we can just find the will to access it.
Those opening points from Patan are key parts of the party's platform (available here).
Bringing the conversation closer to home, Patan wanted to share some insight on the new constituency boundaries that expanded the voting borders further into the north, facing other issues the CFP are hoping to tackle like homelessness and more. Patan hopes that conversation can sway voters to the north, pointing out that nearly 20% of the electorate in the Battlefords-Lloydminster-Meadow Lake are now indigenous.
Patan wants people to know that if he gets in office, he will be working to represent everyone to his fullest
"It's our parties' belief that everyone has a voice, and that it should be heard. I will use my constituents voice to vote on the various bills and policies that best represent us. No towing the party line." said Patan, hoping to make their members real politicians, not just voting machines for their leader."
The MP reform mentioned before is a keyway to make that a reality, as Patan and his party would hope to restore the ability for members to vote freely. Saying true democratic reform starts in our own House of Commons, the proposed whip system will help keep members accountable to their constituents believes Patan.
Patan believes this would empower citizens and their feeling of local representation, making party leaders earn support from MPs as well as the people they represent.
"We have seen it work in practice, and we know how it can help restore a connection between parliament and the regular people like my constituents. It costs nothing, it requires no legal change in the House of Commons, and it would transform the way our government operates. And as I said many times now, gives the MPs a real voice for the people who voted for them."
As a blue-collar worker his entire life, Patan wants the people who work the fields, pump the oil, watch the kids, and everyone else in between to feel represented.
"Through this process I have learned that there are a lot of people who are not happy. There are plenty with strong Conservative values who told me they won't vote for me, and I understand that completely.
"But they need to know it starts at home. I am one of them, I have a high school diploma. I am ground floor, and I want to work for the average person."
Another point for Patan had him chuckling as he called it a Saskatchewan way of thinking about things, Patan and his party wanting to do whatever it takes to make the House of Commons the respected institution it is supposed to be, with fair, open, honest conversation for the people and not the parties.
"The House has become kind of an embarrassment. You see those videos of parties fighting... is that what's going to start happening here? Shoes being thrown and fist fights? Ottawa and the people that are there now, embarrassing. I want to see change in Ottawa that more respects the people that put them there."
A major point of contention has been policies surrounding agriculture and energy sectors. Bringing the topic back locally, Patan shared what Canadian Future Party policies could mean for the area.
"We are looking to expand global opportunities during the crisis that is upon us. The CFP will introduce tax and policy incentives to help Canadian businesses diversify their exports beyond the increasing protectionist US market.
"CFP policies will help future proof Canada's access to markets with carbon regulations, such as the EU, ensuring industries remain globally competitive and Canadians continue to benefit from strong, secure, sustainable economic growth."
The CFP also supports energy partnerships Canada-wide.
"We support the east-west pipeline to get Canadian oil to our democratic allies. And for the approval process for resource development projects to be made simpler, while at the same time, creating an energy fund that will direct revenue from fossil fuel extraction to support new and neutral green technology."
The final points brought up by Patan surrounded giving the region a new voice in Ottawa. The CFP is running 19 candidates across Canada, many of them "regular joes" like Patan, hoping to represent the abundance of amazing people the riding has to offer.
Because of the boost in Indigenous voters, Patan says the CFP platform section covering their issues was one of the most aggressive.
"To finally end the arguments between First Nations people, Metis, (and the) Inuit. Sit down at the table and just do what was promised to them. If not by us, by the British." said Patan referencing the Indian Act and what it entails. "It's not very confusing, but it's a very difficult platform to bring up because it is so visceral for the indigenous people. We want to do what it takes to sit with them and finally solve the outstanding treaties and agreements that were promised to them so many years ago... Sometimes promises made are promises kept." said Patan, as homelessness, clean water, and other struggles are things that need to be addressed.
Wrapping up the conversation, Patan talked about what an honour it would be for him to be the new voice for the area. Describing himself as an "extroverted introvert", Patan managed to wrangle together the following statement about what it would be become the new MP.
"To be very honest, the present voice has not been overly loud for many inside of our riding. Mrs. Falk has been a very capable MP for all of us, myself included. I have voted for her two previous times.
"But I have not seen much for change with her representing us. Even though they are the official opposition, regardless, her party and their vision for myself and my family, is going in the wrong direction.
"I am completely aware of the Conservative values within my riding, but the younger generations also need to be directed to a more vibrant future, with more opportunities in this changing and difficult world, mine included.
"For that to happen, I will be the voice for the next generation looking for a full new direction (that is here for all the constituents), regardless of beliefs, backgrounds, or age.
"Because the people come first."
Patan and his fellow candidates came together for a forum in Lloydminster on Wednesday. Another forum is scheduled to take place April 22 in Unity, organized by the local Chamber of Commerce and being held at the Unity Community Centre from 6:30-8.
*WestCentralOnline has reached out to each candidate in the Battlefords-Lloydminter-Meadow Lake constituency for an interview