Buckley Belanger announces exploratory process for Northern Saskatchewan University

Buckley Belanger, the Member of Parliament for Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River, has announced the launch of an exploratory process to establish a Northern Saskatchewan University. The initiative aims to expand post-secondary opportunities for residents in the northern region, reducing the need for students to relocate to southern Saskatchewan to pursue degrees.

The exploratory process is scheduled to begin in early fall and is expected to conclude by the end of 2026 with a final report outlining strategies and necessary steps for implementation. Belanger described local university training as “critical infrastructure” for rebuilding the north.

Geordy McCaffrey, an expert in Indigenous student development, will play a key role in the process. The initiative intends to engage between 30 and 50 stakeholders, including Indigenous leadership, provincial authorities, and existing post-secondary institutions. Potential models for the new institution include affiliated or federated colleges that broker programming from existing entities like the University of Saskatchewan or the University of Regina.