SASKATOON — The opposition New Democrats have renewed calls for rent control following news that an Alberta-based corporate landlord has purchased more units in Saskatchewan.
They pointed to Alberta-based Boardwalk acquiring 235 more rental properties in Regina and Saskatoon.
In a news release Wednesday, the NDP cited comments from Boardwalk CEO Sam Kolias to AllSaskatchewan, in which he said the landlord’s operations in the province generated $12 million in profits during the second quarter, up from $10.5 million a year earlier. The NDP also noted he was quoted as saying Saskatchewan was Boardwalk’s “best-performing” market in Canada.
NDP housing critic April ChiefCalf said in a statement that rents “are rising faster than anywhere else in Canada.”
“We can’t allow a big Alberta-based corporate landlord to squeeze every penny out of our seniors and young people, and then brag about it. It’s just not right. We need rent control — like we see in so many other provinces — to keep big corporate landlords from jacking up rents fifteen, twenty, even thirty per cent in a single year.
“This is about building a future for the people of Saskatchewan where every person has an affordable and safe place to call home.”
The NDP pledged to introduce rental protections as a campaign promise during the 2024 election. In July, ChiefCalf said she would introduce rent control legislation when the new Session begins this fall.
At the time, Social Services Minister Terry Jenson said this would not be something the government would consider, arguing rent controls would restrict additional construction and renovation of rental units.
“When you have more units available in the marketplace, the more units you have, the more control you have over prices because there’s now competition for tenants. By putting rent control in, it stifles additional construction, renovation or repair,” said Jenson.
The government has released this statement following the NDP's latest announcement:
"This is yet another example of the lost and reckless NDP trying to promote failed rent control policies in Saskatchewan . Rent controls have caused housing shortages wherever they have been tried. Even the NDP backed away from rent control after it was part of their platform in their disastrous 2011 election campaign. Jurisdictions that have introduced rent control legislation frequently see fewer new housing units being built, ultimately resulting in less affordable housing being available.
"The NDP now appear to be calling for Canadian companies to be banned from investing in the province. This would further decrease supply and make it more difficult for families to find safe and affordable housing options."
The government statement also says Saskatchewan "remains the most affordable place to live, work, and raise a family in the country." They also pointed to programs including the Saskatchewan Housing Benefi: a government investment of $88.4 million dollars into ensuring rent-ready social housing units are available: the Saskatchewan Secondary Suite Incentive Grant Program: and the PST Rebate on New Home Construction extension.
With files from Jon Perez
