REGINA — The province has officially brought in an amendment to the Saskatchewan Building Code that will require carbon monoxide alarms in all suites in multi-unit residential buildings.
At an announcement at the legislature, Minister of Government Relations Eric Schmalz announced the new regulations will be known as Henry's Law, in memory of 11-year-old Henry Losco, who died of carbon monoxide poisoning in a unit of his residential building last December. Members of Henry’s family, including his father Sergio Losco and mother Marina Hills, were present.
“Saskatchewan already requires carbon monoxide alarms in residential buildings where there is a furnace or fuel-burning appliance, but Henry's Law will require a carbon monoxide alarm in all suites in multi-unit residential buildings,” said Schmalz. “These regulations are proposed to be effective as of Nov. 1, 2026, and will impact buildings old and new, including multifamily condo buildings and apartments.”
Schmalz said he had spoken to stakeholders, including Landon Field, the CEO of Rental Housing Saskatchewan, who expressed support for the changes.
He said over the next six months, the Ministry of Government Relations will “offer education to building owners, local authorities, building officials, and industry associations about their obligations. We will also ensure that every homeowner and renter in the province is aware of these requirements, and that they are designed to protect lives.
“With our Saskatchewan winters, we need our furnaces and fuel-burning appliances to keep us warm, and that isn't going to change any time soon. With Henry's Law, once Saskatchewan residents lay their heads to rest at night, they should expect to be safe from the dangers of carbon monoxide.”
Schmalz noted the government worked in collaboration with opposition MLAs Erika Ritchie and Meara Conway to make the changes quickly. The new regulations were signed by Premier Scott Moe earlier Tuesday, who met with the Losco family.
Hills thanked Minister Schmalz and the opposition MLAs for the speed in which the changes were enacted.
“We want to thank Minister Schmalz for contacting us and letting us be a part of this change,” Hills said. “By working together with the NDP, this regulation happened very fast. It happened quickly. This is unprecedented, and we are extremely thankful for Henry's Law and for the sincerity from the Premier.
“We just met with the Premier, and it was wonderful. That man wants to do good things, and he's doing good things. With the help of Erika Ritchie and Meara Conway of the NDP, the government and the opposition worked together for this, and this is a big step forward for us here in Saskatchewan.”
Hills thanked the opposition and the government for “making Henry's Law, for making our dream, and through our intense grief, tangible and something that will start to bring some peace for this.”
She called Henry a “bright, wonderful son,” who is loved and cherished every day.
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you Saskatchewan for being there for us, pulling us in to be a part of your community. We feel it. We plan to give back, and we plan to do more. This is just another step on the road for us because our goal at the end of the day is to ensure that all Canadians are safe in their homes and that no more children die from carbon monoxide.”
Conway, who as MLA for Regina Elphinstone-Centre represents the area where the tragedy took place, credited the family for their role in driving the change.
“The loss of Henry obviously is unimaginable. But we will never forget your strength. During such an incredibly painful time, that strength pushed these changes. Your example, Marina and Sergio, pushed government and opposition to lay down our swords and make much-needed changes in the best interest of all Saskatchewan people. Henry did that. And Henry will not be forgotten.”
In speaking to reporters, Schmalz reiterated what he had said previously as he pledged to raise the issue with counterparts across the country.
“Yes, so normally during the summer after the House rises, what we do is we meet with our federal, provincial and territorial colleagues from across the country. In this file particularly, because it does touch on municipal affairs and building codes and things like that, I have opportunity to engage with them at those meetings,” Schmalz said.
“And I would address this probably in an informal way to begin with and have those conversations with them and tell them about what we're doing here as a province thanks to the advocacy of Henry's family and tell Henry's story to them. That's something that we as a ministry and I as the minister want to be able to convey to our colleagues across the country that this is Canada. We have a need for heated homes in the wintertime. And a lot of that comes through fuels that are harmful if they're not properly managed and maintained. And that's something we need to make sure that we're providing a safe place for people to put their heads down at night and rest.”
As for why all buildings did not have this before, Schmalz said the Canada Building Code is what they typically base building requirements on. Those had required an alarm system in areas surrounding the appliance in multi-unit dwellings.
“We're not entirely sure what happened in this instance. Obviously those matters are still under investigation, but we are going to be watching very closely to see exactly where that breakdown was and how it occurred,” Schmalz said.
He said the new regulations will exceed the Canada Building Code requirements and be enforced through an inspection process. Schmalz said after the full investigation into the December 2025 carbon monoxide incident is completed, they will be “reviewing what the recommendations are coming out of those reports, as well as reviewing our practices when it comes to inspection and the like.”
The new regulations will apply to both new construction as well as existing buildings.
“The cost is fairly nominal when it comes to these units and their installation.
We have a set of standards outlined within the code to ensure that it's an achievable aspiration for them to get to. And we want to make sure that we're allowing them a grace period to have this completed,” said Schmalz.
