Data from Statistics Canada shows that, in the 2025/26 school year, Saskatchewan undergraduate students paid the second-highest annual average for tuition across the country, just barely trailing behind Nova Scotia in first place. Last spring, University of Regina students were informed that they should expect to see a three per cent tuition increase in the 2026/27 school year.
Post-secondary institutions, academics and students have been sounding the alarm about the rising cost of tuition in Saskatchewan since the Sask. Party made historic cuts to post-secondary education in 2017. Those cuts were the largest in the province’s history, and nearly a decade later, the government has failed to restore funding to levels that meet the growing needs of students and institutions, leaving students to pay the price.
"What I frequently hear from students in my riding is that they just simply can't keep up with the rising cost of tuition anymore," said Sally Housser, MLA for Regina University. "Our young people are the future of Saskatchewan, and they shouldn't have to worry about bankrupting themselves just to receive a quality post-secondary education in their home province.
“Let me be clear — the blame for this lies entirely with Scott Moe and the Sask. Party,” Housser added. “We have world-class universities and world-class research facilities, but they need proper support from the province. This is critical to keeping young people here and giving them the opportunity to build their lives in Saskatchewan, it’s critical for our economy and for the future of our province.”
Unemployment continues to further pose as a concern for young people across the province—in July, youth unemployment rose to 12.4 per cent, with many students reporting their challenges in finding full-time or even part-time summer employment.
“Gas, food, rent, and tuition have all been going up, and it feels like we don’t have anyone who is trying to improve things for us,” said Michael Stevenson, a student at the University of Regina that joined Beck’s team in a press conference on Thursday.
"We continue to see Saskatchewan lose on interprovincial migration, and historically, our young people make up a big portion of the population that is leaving this province," said Noor Burki, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Career Training. "Young people will unfortunately keep leaving if they continue to be squeezed by this cost-of-living crisis, increasingly high tuition, and lack of opportunity.
"It's time for this government to listen to our young folks and offer some real solutions. These are people who want to stay in Saskatchewan and build a future right here.
Later on this month, Carla Beck's team will continue on with their Your Future, Your Say consultation, which aims to connect with young people firsthand in Saskatchewan to better understand what challenges are pushing them out of the province, and what solutions could be put in place to prevent that.
Events will be held in Moose Jaw on Sept. 23 at the Ballad & Bard in the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre at 6 p.m., and on Sept. 24 in Yorkton at the Parlour Barber Shop at 6 p.m.
More details about the project can be found at YourFutureYourSay.ca.
-30-