Veteran politician Buckley Belanger shared that he had limited advice to offer Prime Minister Mark Carney regarding Saskatchewan politics and the sometimes strained provincial-federal relationship. Belanger, the sole Liberal representative elected in Saskatchewan during the 2025 federal election, was appointed by Carney as the secretary of state for rural development in May.
In an interview with CBC reflecting on his initial year in Parliament, Belanger mentioned that Carney seemed well-informed about Saskatchewan, describing him as a “complex thinker” with a straightforward message. Belanger commended Carney’s leadership for enhancing the rapport between Saskatchewan and Ottawa, a sentiment also acknowledged by Premier Scott Moe.
Belanger expressed satisfaction that Carney recognized Saskatchewan’s potential contributions, thus facilitating efforts to strengthen the province’s position within Canada. Throughout 2025, Belanger was actively engaged in various significant events, including his involvement in domestic and international trade matters as the secretary of state for rural development and his constituency work in northern Saskatchewan during a challenging wildfire season.
Acknowledging the recurring nature of wildfires, Belanger emphasized the importance of preparedness and response strategies, highlighting Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience Eleanor Olszewski’s review and the allocation of resources, such as a proposed water bomber fleet, to address this ongoing issue.
Belanger emphasized the pivotal role of rural Canada in a revamped economy less dependent on the U.S. trade partnership. He recognized the need to address infrastructure challenges, like the Port of Vancouver backlog, to bolster international trade. Belanger also pointed to projects like Foran Mining’s McIlvenna Bay initiative, the agricultural sector, and the potash and uranium industries in Saskatchewan as key contributors to Carney’s vision of a unified Canadian economy.
Highlighting the significant economic contribution of rural Canada, Belanger underscored the sector’s essential role in the nation’s overall GDP despite representing a smaller portion of the population.