The summits MP Buckley Belanger is planning will bring together elected leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue on critical issues affecting communities and industries. (Liberal Party of Canada)

By Derek Cornet

reaching out

Belanger organizing leadership summits, Bernatchez to manage main Liberal office in La Ronge

Jul 23, 2025 | 1:17 PM

Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River MP Buckley Belanger is inviting chiefs and mayors to a series of Northern Saskatchewan Leadership Summits.

“It’s been less than three months since we’ve been elected, but one of the things we promised people is we would seek advice to what the agenda is for Northern Saskatchewan,” he remarked.

“One of the things we would like to move on is have people from Northern Saskatchewan communities have their say. I know there is going to be a lot of discussion around the forest fire season and so be it. I think it is really important we are able to go into these forums and hear what people have to say. We are making specific opportunities for Northern Saskatchewan communities to come out and say their words, their advice and criticisms. They will also share what they see as opportunities for the federal government to move on.”

The summit will be located in Buffalo Narrows, the Denare Beach/Creighton area, and at the Lac La Ronge Indian Band’s (LLRIB) Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre. The latter meeting will occur on Aug. 19 and the three tri-community leaders have confirmed to larongeNOW they received invites.

The theme for the summits is “have your say for action.” They aim to bring together elected leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue on critical issues affecting communities and industries in the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District. Participants will have the opportunity to collaborate on solutions, share common ground, and build strategic partnerships.

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The summits will also include a roundtable discussion on rural development to assist in Belanger’s work as the Secretary of State on that matter.

“All the northern leadership folks will be involved and engaged. We just wanted the opportunity to, first of all, approach this from a regional perspective,” he said.

In addition, Belanger has announced his main constituency office will be located in La Ronge and managed by former LLRIB councillor Devin Bernatchez. There will be other offices located in Ottawa and La Loche, as well as the Far North and the east side of the riding, but those locations have yet to be determined. All offices will report to Bernatchez.

Devin Bernatchez resigned as a Lac La Ronge Indian Band councillor for Sucker River in May. (Facebook/Cook-Searson Tammy Jim)

“We never forget the people who have voted for us,” Belanger explained.

“We are going to try and make time, specifically for northern leaders and northern communities to have access to their MP. That’s why we have the four regional approaches for our offices, that’s why we’re are having these three regional approaches for these forums.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com