Saskatchewan NDP promises rental protections ahead of looming fall election

The Saskatchewan NDP are promising to limit rent increases if elected government in this fall’s provincial election.

The move is in response to Saskatchewan registering some of the highest rent increases in the country over the past twelve months.

Matt Thomson saw his rent go up by $200 over the past year. For him, that was a 25 per cent increase.

“Twenty five per cent increase out of nowhere seemingly for no reason is quite a lot,” Thomson explained.

The average rent for a two-bedroom suite in Regina is now $1,536, a 16 per cent increase.

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In Saskatoon, a similar apartment rents for $1,469, an 18 per cent increase.

Saskatchewan rents are still below the national average of $2,310 but the increase in the province far outpaces most other cities. The NDP say they would impose legal guidelines on rent increases if elected government this fall.

“We think there needs to be some balance restored to the picture here,” NDP MLA Meara Conway said.

“There’s many models that we can look to in how to do this. I know Ontario has adopted more of a rent increase guideline. If you go beyond the guideline, the landlord has to make the case.”

Saskatchewan landlords have issues with the NDP’s plan. Cam Choquette, CEO of the Saskatchewan Landlord Association and

“Our association is certainly concerned about any potential rental increase regulations or guidelines that would prevent the free market from operating on a supply and demand framework,” Choquette said. “While the details are pretty scant in the NDP’s announcement, we’re quite hesitant to see, if they form government, what they would look like.”

The provincial government says it has always opposed rent controls. It believes it would discourage landlords from making improvements or constructing additional units.

It believes the NDP plan could negatively impact housing availability.