Residents from Sacred Heart Manor in Regina came Wednesday, as some residents say their rent will raise anywhere from 40-95 per cent. Effective January 1, 2026, the innovative (non-profit) housing program provided by the Saskatchewan Housing Authority will be coming to an end. Property owners were swift to act and transition rent to the then-current market rates.
“My rent is going from $777 a month to $1,100,” said Joanne Hubick.
“I am going to have to use the food bank. I want to know how Scott Moe would feel if his mom and dad were in this situation.”
The Rent Control Act, introduced by Saskatchewan NDP Housing Shadow Minster April ChiefCalf, would limit rent increases to the annual increase to the Consumer Price Index. When asked about the legislation Monday, Sask. Party Finance Minister Jim Reiter said he hadn’t even read the bill.
On Tuesday, Scott Moe stood in Question Period and spread a pack of lies that rent control would kill investment infrastructure despite the fact that four provinces with rent control have outpaced Saskatchewan on building construction between 2017 and 2025.
“The Sask. Party will say and do anything to protect their corporate landlord buddies, while everyday people fall farther and farther behind,” ChiefCalf said. “They have said they won’t pass my legislation. Well, guess what? We're not going to stop fighting because we know we need rent control to help people get back on their feet.”
New figures released in Saskatoon on Tuesday show that homelessness in the city has increased by at least 30 per cent year-over-year and quadrupled over the past four years. As well, the Sask. Party continues to fail on affordable housing, leaving more than 2,000 units vacant provincewide.
“Working people and students are often working multiple jobs trying to get ahead, but still they’re putting groceries on credit cards and have lost hope that they will ever own their own home,” said Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck. “Saskatchewan, we don’t have to settle for this. We can take a stand right here and demand that life in our province be made affordable.
“We can change the government, bring in rent control and build the affordable housing we need. I want every person to live in a place to call their own that is safe and comfortable — nothing less is acceptable.”
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