Buckley Belanger sole Sask. Liberal in sea of blue, CBC projects

In a breakthrough for the federal Liberals in a province dominated by Conservatives, Buckley Belanger is projected to win the Saskatchewan riding of Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River.

CBC is projecting a Liberal government, but Saskatchewan has stayed blue: the Conservatives are expected to win 13 of the province's 14 ridings.

Belanger cruised to victory with over 65 per cent share of the votes, after having lost to a Conservative in 2021.

Belanger said the atmosphere was electric at his campaign headquarters in La Ronge on Monday night as supporters gathered to mark the victory. He described the moment as "exciting and enormous."

"The people of northern Saskatchewan, they want a voice in Ottawa and we're going to give them that voice," Belanger said.

Rebecca Sylvestre, a resident of Turnor Lake, Sask., said in a text statement that she is thrilled Belanger will represent northern communities.

"As a true Northerner who lives, knows, and loves the North, he understands our challenges. We're confident that his dedication and leadership will drive positive change for our communities."

Belanger, who is Métis, began representing the North in the provincial legislature for the Liberal Party in 1995. Three years later, he left the party to join the provincial NDP, maintaining his seat until 2021.

Belanger said his federal campaign resonated because voters were tired of the persistent challenges facing the North, from poor housing and infrastructure deficits to the rise of illicit drugs. He said the people in the region want a government that will work alongside them.

"This whole effort on the northern Saskatchewan people's part is all about economic and social justice," he said.

Belanger said his first priority will be to tell the stories of northern Saskatchewan communities in Ottawa and to push for a collective plan. He hopes to convene a series of summits bringing together leaders, artists, land stewards and language keepers to shape a shared vision for the North's future.

"We have such enormous wealth on that land and yet we have local challenges," Belanger said, emphasizing that solutions must come from within the region itself.

Belanger also voiced strong support for Prime Minister Mark Carney, calling him a "fantastically intelligent man" with a deep understanding of national and international economies. He said Canadians will be impressed with Carney's leadership as the Liberals move toward what Belanger called a "reconciled and independent Canada."

Belanger is promising voters he will be aggressive and strategic in Ottawa, and pledges to advocate loudly for their needs.