CMHC report says Prince Albert apartment renters feeling tighter pinch

Fiddler added when you factor in rent insurance, power, internet, car payment and gas, there’s not much left for groceries.

“We really shouldn’t have to pick what’s more important than the other.”

KD Peters is a single parent and noted the difficulty in buying groceries and having a healthy diet.

“Rent doesn’t feel like a rent payment it feels like having a long term ‘mortgage’ without the benefits of having my own ‘house.’ As a single parent I always worry about covering the rent every month and live on a month to month basis.”

On Monday, the Sask NDP held a media conference in Prince Albert.

“After two decades of the Sask. Party government, people are working harder and harder and still falling behind,” said Darcy Warrington, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister for Parks, Culture and Sport. “Having enough to pay the bills, to put a roof over your head, and to feed your family without using a food bank shouldn’t be too much to ask.”

According to a new Angus Reid poll, Saskatchewan people are struggling more than anywhere else in Canada to make ends meet.

66 per cent said they can’t keep up with the cost of living, the highest rate in the country
51 per cent say it is difficult to feed their household, the highest rate in the country
76 per cent say they’re stressed about money
69 per cent say debt is a source of stress in their household
57 per cent said they would not be able to manage a “one-time unexpected expense” of over $1,000 this month
41 per cent said it is difficult to make either rent or mortgage payments

“People in medium-sized cities like Prince Albert are seeing all of their costs jump and their wages aren’t keeping up,” added Warrington. “Saskatchewan needs a government focused on building an affordable future. That starts with cutting the PST on groceries and kids’ clothes and getting rents under control.”

According to a statement provided by the government, rent control has caused housing shortages wherever it has been implemented and discourages the building of new rental accommodations.

“Our government remains focused on increasing housing supply and maintaining affordability, while ensuring Saskatchewan people have access to safe, quality homes.”

Citing examples, the government noted the Saskatchewan Secondary Suite Incentive provides up to 35 per cent of the cost to build a new secondary suite to increase the availability of rental units.

They also stated in the first eight months of 2025, Saskatchewan urban housing starts increased by 49.8 per cent compared to the same period in 2024, which ranks first for growth among the provinces.

“Our government is taking action to address housing affordability through a variety of other measures. The Saskatchewan Housing Benefit offers a flat monthly benefit to eligible renters that have low to moderate incomes and pay a high proportion of their household income on rent and utility costs.”

The government also explained PST revenues help fund services in health care, education and social services, as well as programs such as municipal revenue sharing and infrastructure investments that communities rely on.

“It is very disappointing that the NDP continue to be dishonest about PST on groceries, as they know that basic grocery items are exempt from PST. This includes grocery items such as meat, fish, eggs, milk and vegetables. PST is only applied to ready to eat or prepared food items like rotisserie chicken.”

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

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by Nigel Maxwell

CMHC report says Prince Albert apartment renters feeling tighter pinch

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