Photo Courtesy EGP Staff

By Tanner Smith

Candidate profile

City of Grande Prairie Council Candidate Profile: J. Patrick Croken

Oct 1, 2025 | 2:02 PM

J. Patrick Croken is one of over 20 residents running for a City Council position.

He was asked to answer the following four questions with a 600-word limit.

1. What has inspired you to run for mayor/council/school trustee in the Oct. 20, 2025, municipal election?

What inspired me to run was the fact that I had a great-uncle and father who both entered public service as city council and school board trustee ran in provincial elections, and one is still putting his hat into the race to this day. I can only hope to represent Grande Prairie as half as well as they have done.

2. What skills or experience do you have that you feel would make you a good fit for the role?

I have experience in the workforce, mostly as a working person in both the oilfield all around northern Alberta and BC, and in forestry plants south of Grande Prairie. I was involved in the startup of a couple of businesses in my past. My biggest experience that translates into the world of politics would be working as a census enumerator for the federal census last year for the County of Grande Prairie. That experience was invaluable in bridging the gap between government and land/business owners and providing on-the-ground data for the county to make well-informed decisions. In addition to that, working the federal election for Elections Canada gave me great insight and experience in the democratic processes in Canada.

3. What do you feel are the key or main election issues in your community, and what are the issues of priority for you?

The fairly large growth in population over the last 10 years versus how much our infrastructure has struggled to keep up is a major concern. Add in the fact that our aging population will be doubling in the next five years, and I think taking care of infrastructure and balancing growth is key for this term.

4. Where can people learn more about you?

Contact me:patrick@votecroken.ca votecroken.ca