REGINA, Sask. — For the past seven years, Garth Rusconi has been living in The Williston, a senior living complex in Regina.
But that is all changing as Rusconi is moving out in September due to incoming rent increases of $200 a month occurring three times over the next 17 months.
“So that’s a total of $600 over a 12-month period, from February 1, 2027, to February 1, 2028. My calculation on the increase to the base rent was 24 per cent. Have you ever heard of an increase that steep in one year?” he said outside the Saskatchewan legislature on Thursday with other renters at The Williston and the NDP.
Rusconi estimated his new rent following the increases would be roughly $3,200 per month, more than $1,200 higher than what he paid when he first moved in. He said other residents at the complex are facing even steeper increases, describing the situation as devastating.
“Imagine being told you can no longer afford your home. You've got to go find a new place to live. You've got to pack your belongings. You've got to leave your friends. It is devastating for these people.”
Many of the residents at The Williston are independent, meaning moving on their own can be challenging, noted Rusconi.
“At their age, they really don’t feel like they can move on.”
With looming increases for those staying, Rusconi called on the provincial government to bring in rent control.
“We have to find the middle ground that will allow each of them to continue doing what they're doing. Renters need stability, predictability, transparency, fairness and financial security. But this is about more than rent. It's about fairness. It's about people having reasonable predictability when they're in their homes. It's about protecting seniors and low-income people. And most importantly, it's about compassion and dignity,” he said.
Peter Gilmer, an advocate with the Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry, said rent control should align with the consumer price index.
“This is reasonable accommodation which is fair and which would provide stability and predictability for tenants as well as landlords, and it is something that we strongly endorse.”
In a response to SaskToday, the province said experts and leaders have already warned the NDP about the potential harms of rent control.
“Rent controls drive away investment, defer maintenance and tighten supply, leaving those who need housing the most with the fewest options,” the province stated.
The province said keeping rents affordable depends on having a large supply of rental housing options.
“The key to affordability is availability, which is why our government is investing more than $60 million this year in market-based programs.”
The government noted that Saskatchewan is currently the most affordable province when total taxes, utilities and housing are considered, according to the 2026 Intercity Comparisons of Taxes, Utilities and Housing.
The province also pointed to its $2.5-billion investment in affordability measures as part of the 2026-27 budget, including the Seniors Income Plan, as a way to help seniors manage their housing costs.
“Our strong economy and key policy initiatives have ensured that Saskatchewan communities remain among the most affordable places to live,” the province said.
