Question Period (14 April 2025)

From Hansard (14 April 2025)

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Cost of Rental Accommodation

Darcy Warrington: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. United, and united behind the member from Humboldt-Watrous as well.

Seniors in Saskatoon Stonebridge fear for their housing. Dozens of the residents that I graciously represent today have shown me their records and receipts. Their rents have gone up 10 to 29 per cent over the last two years, and they’re paying fees on things that they have never seen before. They live on fixed incomes and thin margins, Mr. Speaker. They can’t afford this, and they are scared of what happens next.

Other provinces have introduced protections like caps on rent increases. We are one of two provinces in Canada that do not have this mechanism. Not in Saskatchewan.

Why won’t the minister get to work and offer protections for tenants like the seniors of Saskatoon Stonebridge?

Hon. Terry Jenson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And when it comes to rents in Saskatchewan, particularly seniors’ rents, this is an issue between a private landlord and their tenants. This is not an issue where the government will be getting involved.

I should note, Mr. Speaker, that, you know, year over year in Regina rent prices have actually decreased. In the most recent report for rentals.ca, Saskatchewan has the lowest average rent in the country with an average of $1,336 per month. That’s for a one-bedroom apartment. That’s over $200 less than next door in NDP [New Democratic Party] Manitoba, who have an average rent of $1,592 per month, Mr. Speaker.

Out of the 60 major cities across Canada, one-bedroom rental in Regina is the fourth cheapest in the country, and in Saskatoon it’s the seventh cheapest in the country. For a two-bedroom rental, Regina is fifth cheapest; Saskatoon is sixth cheapest in the nation.

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to rental and affordability, Saskatchewan is leading the way across the country. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

 

Darcy Warrington: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The stats the minister just said mean nothing. These residents have their bills and receipts here today, and I encourage them to show the minister afterwards if he’s willing to meet with them.

Last week we heard the Minister of Social Services claim rent isn’t an issue in this province, as he more or less is right now. He’s welcome to tell that to these constituents who are worried that they won’t be able to afford their homes they enjoy now, and forced to move to a new location costing them even more money to do so.

What is that minister going to do for seniors in Saskatoon Stonebridge whose rent is going up too high, too fast? And will he meet with these seniors from Saskatoon Stonebridge today?

Hon. Terry Jenson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And yes, I’d be more than happy to meet with these residents of Saskatoon to discuss the issues that they’re facing between their landlord and themselves.

Mr. Speaker, the best way to address rent prices, and really housing across all continuums, is to increase the supply of housing throughout the province in all areas, in all areas throughout the continuum, whether that be supportive housing, whether that be through transitional housing, social housing, market housing, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we’ve put in place several different initiatives in this budget to help with that, to increase the housing supply across the province. And that includes the home renovation tax credit. That includes the provincial sales tax rebate for new home construction. Mr. Speaker, when it comes to keeping rents affordable and keeping mortgages affordable, the best thing to do is to increase supply. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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