PLEA gratefully acknowledges our primary core funder the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan for their continuing and generous support of our organization.
Landlords cannot refuse to rent to someone based on things like having children, receiving social assistance or race.
The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, 2018 protects against housing discrimination based on certain grounds. Under the Code, the protected grounds are...
Landlords cannot decide whether to rent to someone based on any of the protected grounds listed above. A landlord must give equal consideration to everyone who applies.
If you have any questions about discrimination as it relates to housing, or you feel you have been the victim of discrimination, you can contact the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission by phone at 1-800-667-9249 or by email at shrc@gov.sk.ca.
For example, an advertisement cannot state "no immigrants" or "no Aboriginal people." It also cannot say "no children," or "must be working." Refusing to accept a guarantee from the Ministry of Social Services instead of a damage deposit is also discrimination.
A landlord can state a preference as long as that preference doesn't purposely exclude people on the basis of protected grounds. For example, an advertisement might state "students preferred" but people other than students must still be considered for the accommodation.
Exceptions to rules about cannabis use may also be made for medical cannabis users.
Rental properties can be designated pet-free. However, even in pet-free buildings, there must be an exception for service animals. A service dog is not considered a pet. Landlords cannot refuse to rent to someone because they have a service dog. If a tenant suddenly requires the use of a service dog to assist with a disability, the tenant cannot be evicted from a pet-free building.
If a person is renting out a room or a suite in their home, they may state a preference for one sex over the other. For example, a single woman who is renting out a room in her home may state that she will only rent to another woman.
The Code also allows for a building to be designated exclusively for people over the age of 55 years.
PLEA offers free online training on preventing and addressing workplace harassment.