Darren Deschambeault is the candidate for the Sask. Party. (submitted photo/Tye Hapke)

By Derek Cornet

provincial election

Prince Albert resident chosen to run as Sask. Party candidate in Cumberland

Sep 25, 2020 | 2:27 PM

A communications consultant for an Alberta-based oil and gas company has been chosen as the Saskatchewan Party candidate for Cumberland.

A current resident of Prince Albert, Darren Deschambeault said he plans on moving into the riding should he be voted in during the next election Oct. 26. He does, however, have big ties to northern Saskatchewan having been born and raised in Cumberland House, as well as spending various amounts of time in other communities. Deschambeault lived in La Ronge for 11 years and worked with CBC Radio and MBC.

“I think there’s a signal from the Sask. Party that they want to engage Indigenous Peoples in this province,” he said. “I thought let’s start by getting involved with the party and then, from there, running for the seat in the North. It’s predominately Aboriginal.”

Deschambeault explained it seems as though the Sask. Party will have another win next month and he noted it will be important the North is represented by whoever wins. If he wins the seat for the party, he believes he will be in a position to bring about changes in the constituency.

Being a Métis man who can speak the Cree language, Deschambeault added he has somewhat of an advantage as he will be able to communicate with Elders and others who speak it. He said it would help because current NDP MLA Doyle Vermette, who has held the seat since 2007, is also Métis.

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“I have a good grasp of the language and culture, I know a lot of people in the North, I’ve helped a lot of people in the North, a lot of people trust me and I think it is time we had somebody sitting in the government’s side representing the constituency, so their voices are heard,” Deschambeault said.

Before being selected for the Sask. Party, Deschambeault disclosed he had a DUI conviction back in 2001, for which he has since received a pardon. He doesn’t think it will be an issue during the election, adding it was a personal blessing for him as he has since abstained from consuming alcohol.

“It’s important to put someone in that position who is sitting with government,” Deschambeault said. “It’s imperative they have somebody in that capacity because there’s going to be a lot of growth in the province and also there’s been a lot of talk about growing Indigenous participation in the economy through the growth of Saskatchewan.”

Deschambeault has two children with his partner Carole.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno