Longtime NDP MLA Buckley Belanger is resigning his seat to take a run at federal politics.

Belanger announced today he is going to seek the Liberal nomination in Desnethe-Missisippi-Churchill River which is current;y held by Gary Vidal of the Conservatives.

That riding has not been held by a Liberal since 2007.

Belanger says he is switching parties in an attempt to get things done for the people of Northern Saskatchewan.

Belanger was first elected as an MLA in 1995 and has been re-elected six times in the Athabasca riding.

NDP leader Ryan Meili says Belanger’s contributions since 1995 have been many and that the party’s focus now will be making sure there is a strong voice for Northwest Saskatchewan in the legislature as the Sask Party has repeatedly shown complete disregard for the concerns of the people of Athabasca.”