QUESTION PERIOD — Prime Minister’s Office
Secretaries of State
May 29, 2025
Senator Gold, Prime Minister Carney recently appointed 10 so-called Secretaries of State in addition to 28 full cabinet ministers. The Prime Minister’s Office website plainly states these Secretaries of State are “ . . . not members of Cabinet . . . .” What are these Secretaries of State? Do they have their own departments and departmental budgets? What is their salary? What is their office budget? Do they get a car and driver? If your response is that Secretary of State is the same as a minister of State, why is your Carney-Liberal government using the much more American-sounding title Secretary of State? That’s not very “elbows up” of you.
Thank you for your question. This particular government has put in place talented Canadians from across the country representing our great diversity, not only regionally, but in terms of talent and competency. The Prime Minister has chosen to name a cabinet that will focus on the seven priorities that have been identified. These are the priorities that address issues Canadians demand and on which this government has committed to deliver.
Not even close to an answer. Senator Gold, under this Carney government, Saskatchewan is the only province in Canada without a full cabinet minister. We have one, lone Secretary of State Buckley Belanger, and he does not sit at the cabinet table. His portfolio, Rural Development, used to be a full ministry but has been downgraded to a Secretary of State. The previous rural development minister, Gudie Hutchings, said that if Canadians wanted anything from the Liberal government, they’d have to elect more Liberals. Is that why this Liberal government is leaving Saskatchewan out in the cold?
No. Let me simply say that the government is very pleased with the election of the member from Saskatchewan and looking forward to the contribution that he can make on behalf of the citizens and residents of Saskatchewan to the work of the government. Whether ministers or others — and that includes us — we all have a role to play, and this government is confident that he and others will play the roles in the best interests of Canadians and the provinces and regions they represent.
