Buckley Belanger is serving as Secretary of State for Rural Development in Prime Minister Mark Carney’s cabinet. Elected in April 2025 as the Liberal Member of Parliament for Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, he is currently the sole Liberal MP from Saskatchewan.

Before entering federal politics, Belanger served for over 25 years in the Saskatchewan legislature, representing the northern riding of Athabasca from 1995 to 2021. He held several ministerial portfolios in the provincial government, including that of the Environment, Northern Affairs, and Aboriginal Affairs, during which time he vigorously advocated for the needs and priorities of remote and rural communities.

He previously served as Mayor of Île-à-la-Crosse and worked as a journalist and media leader with Missinipi Broadcasting Corporation, helping to expand access to Indigenous-language broadcasting. A lifelong champion for northern Saskatchewan voices, Belanger brings decades of hands-on experience to his current role, where he continues to push for stronger economic opportunities across rural Canada.