The province says, as of August 4th, the suspension of eviction notices will be lifted. The Office of Residential Tenancies will begin accepting eviction applications from landlords for non-payment of rent. The suspension began as the COVID-19 pandemic entered the province and the provincial government wanted to ensure tenants facing hardship were able to employ social distancing. Justice Minister and Attorney General Don Moran now says, “With the success of flattening the curve in Saskatchewan, we believe it’s appropriate to lift the moratorium, on non-urgent evictions.”

The eviction ban left landlords being owed over $30 million.
Cameron Choquette, Executive Officer, with the Saskatchewan Landlord Association, says the ban allowed many tenants to take advantage by withholding rent without facing any consequences.

Recently, the Association along with the Saskatoon and Regina Homebuilder’s Associations, and Saskatchewan Realtors Association asked the provincial government to lift the suspension of eviction completely and allow hearing officers to use their discretion in managing evictions.