Diane Pastoor of Dalmeny will carry the colours for the Maverick Party in the Carlton Trail-Eagle Creek riding in the next federal election.
Pastoor was announced as the party’s candidate at a public information meeting in Osler on July 16.
Pastoor grew up on a dairy farm in BC. She and her husband moved to Saskatchewan in 2003. They have four daughters and five grandchildren.
Pastoor previously served on the board of directors of both the Chicken Farmers of Saskatchewan and the Chicken Farmers of Canada. She and her husband currently operate a grain and bison farm.
This election marks Pastoor’s first candidacy, although she’s been involved behind the scenes politically for the past seven years, serving on the board of the local riding association (now called electoral district association or EDA) for Conservative MP Kelly Block.
Pastoor said her decision to run against a Conservative MP she helped elect is based on political, not personal, differences.
“I’ve always been a conservative,” said Pastoor. “I worked with Kelly Block for many years and I have great respect for her.
“But this past year, I and many others began questioning the direction of the Conservative Party under the new leader, Erin O’Toole.
“I had serious concerns on several issues, including the carbon tax. I realized that perhaps it was time for me to go in a different direction. When I found out about the Maverick Party, I resigned from my EDA position, left the Conservative Party on good terms, and joined the Maverick Party.”
Pastoor said she agrees with the Maverick Party’s strategy of promoting the interests of western Canada in Parliament, noting the Bloc Quebecois uses simlar tactics very successfully.
“Western Canadian industries generate most of the income in Canada, but the money flows east,” she said. “I would prefer to see the west remain in the Canadian federation, but only if we get a fair deal. Right now it’s not fair.
“If we have to go the route of an independent nation, it can be done if the western provinces and territories actually stick together as a unit.”
Pastoor said she’s looking forward to the election.
“I’m a little nervous, but also very excited about the challenge,” she said. “I feel we’re on the right side of history, and we can give people with conservative values another option.”