NDP calls on province to push back rental eviction moratorium expiration

The Saskatchewan NDP want the provincial government to extend a pandemic moratorium on rental evictions.

The province announced that hearings for non-urgent eviction matters will begin again on Aug.4. The province put a hold on non-urgent evictions back in March as part of measures brought into place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Health Minister Jim Reiter has had months to ensure the availability of proper testing capacity in Saskatchewan, but Saskatchewan remains significantly below the national average for testing and the minister won’t release data on testing waits,” Saskatchewan NDP leader Ryan Meili said in a news release.

“Reiter is leaving families flying blind during a spike in cases throughout the province. We need to extend the eviction ban until at least August 31 to support families and control the spread of COVID-19.”

Meili called on Premier Scott Moe and the Saskatchewan government to bring landlords and rental advocates together to determine a proper process and potential subsidy for landlords who have lost significant revenue due to missed or postponed payments and to prevent abuse of the moratorium.

The number of active cases jumped to 307 on Monday, with a majority of new cases occurring in communal living situations such as Hutterite colonies.

Meili said the curve is no longer flat and the province needs to do more to protect people.

“A successful re-opening strategy isn’t about getting there first, it’s about getting it right,” said Meili.

“We need to start taking steps now to ensure cases don’t spread further in the community as families prepare to send kids back to school in September. Extending the rental eviction moratorium is one action that the government can and should take now to support families and control the spread of COVID-19.”