Buckley Belanger
- Born
- March 21, 1960
- Family
- Married to Rebecca Pederson, they have three adult daughters
- Career
- Mayor of Île-à-la-Crosse from 1988 to 1994, journalist and administrator for MBC Radio
- Political Experience
- MLA for Athabasca from 1995 to 2021, Secretary of State (Rural Development) since 2025
- Notable
- Of Métis descent
Based on publicly available information — may contain inaccuracies
Business & Financial Interests
Before entering politics, Buckley Belanger reportedly worked as a broadcaster for the Missinipi Broadcasting Corporation. He also has reported work experience with Cameco, a major uranium mining company. His primary career for several decades was in provincial politics, where he served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Saskatchewan from 1995 until 2021. During his time as an MLA, he held several cabinet positions.
Key Relationships & Connections
For over 25 years, Belanger was a prominent member of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party, serving in the cabinets of former premiers Roy Romanow and Lorne Calvert. In 2021, he switched parties to run for the federal Liberal Party under leader Justin Trudeau. Belanger also has a notable family connection in politics; his daughter, Georgina Jolibois, has also served as a Member of Parliament for the federal NDP in the same riding and as a Saskatchewan NDP MLA.
Public Controversies
In August 2021, a public controversy emerged when Belanger announced he was resigning his seat as a long-serving Saskatchewan NDP MLA to seek the federal Liberal nomination in the riding of Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River. The decision was considered a surprise and drew criticism from his former provincial party. His resignation from the legislature triggered a provincial by-election for his seat, which the Saskatchewan NDP subsequently lost to the governing Saskatchewan Party.
Where Buckley falls on key policy spectrums
Your Money
People & Society
How We're Governed
Land & Community
How does Buckley Belanger's voting record line up with your values?
Mr. Speaker, our visionary yet humble House leader on this side of the assembly asked me to come up with some new material when describing the performance of the Saskatchewan Conservative caucus. He said we needed to find something else beyond “10 long years”. Here it goes. For 11 long years, we have seen no progress made by the Saskatchewan Conservative caucus. On this side of the House, we have
Mr. Speaker, one of the things we are not going to do is take advice from the Conservatives. We will never take advice from them because, while they talk about this plan, they do not have a plan. They simply do not. I will point out to my colleague from Saskatchewan that not only have they not done anything for 11 years, but today we delivered the groceries and essentials benefit, which helps
Mr. Speaker, there is a new government in Ottawa and a new approach: Show up, listen and deliver. I can say on behalf of the Government of Canada that through the child care benefit and the groceries and essentials benefit, we are listening to what the people of Saskatchewan are saying. We are helping them in their time of crisis, but every time we try to do something, the confusing Conservatives
Mr. Speaker, I really, truly believe that the Conservatives do not have a plan. They tout this plan, but I do not think the plan exists. To make a long story short, as we look at all the benefits we are trying to support Saskatchewan families on, one thing is real: The folks across the way voted against it. In fact, the Premier of Saskatchewan, the hon. Scott Moe, has said Canada is doing a
Mr. Speaker, as I viewed the new seating arrangement of the Conservatives' opposite, I kind of lost my Saskatchewan MPs. Then I looked farther back in the backbenches to where they have been relegated. There is where they ended up. They got demoted by their own party. Why? It is because the Conservatives do not believe in Saskatchewan. They do not believe that there is a new government in Ottawa.
Mr. Speaker, let us see what the Conservatives from Saskatchewan voted against. The Canada child benefit they voted against. The national school food program they voted against. The Canada disability benefit they voted against. The Canada groceries and essentials benefit they voted against. The Canada workers benefit they voted against. The Canadian dental care plan they voted against. The old
Prime Minister Mr. Speaker, theis methodically building a vast, exciting world partnership. This front bench is dealing with some very tough issues around trade wars and international conflicts. This caucus is doing the work to assist in every way possible. What the country cannot afford is the voodoo economic plan of the Conservatives. They make no sense. They have not made any sense in the last
Mr. Speaker, I just want to talk about agriculture for a moment. For the last 10 years, these folks have been here literally doing nothing. Back home in Saskatchewan, we have Saskatchewan's back. In the last 10 years, it has doubled the value of the amount of all agricultural products without the federal Conservative caucus's help. The government stood by Saskatchewan and will continue to have