Saskatchewan Minute: Affordability Act, Property Assessments, and SUP Leader Resigns

Saskatchewan Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Saskatchewan politics.

This Week In Saskatchewan:

• The Province says its recently passed Saskatchewan Affordability Act aims to keep the province the most affordable in Canada by reducing personal income tax and adjusting tax brackets through annual indexation. The government has committed over $2 billion in affordability measures as part of its ongoing efforts.
  
  
• Saskatchewan property owners will soon receive updated assessments of their property values, as mandated by provincial law every four years. These assessments, based on location, size, type, and age, help determine property taxes, though the final tax amounts depend on municipal rates. The provincial government has maintained consistent tax percentages for 2025. Official notices will be sent in January, and property owners can appeal if dissatisfied with their assessments.
  
  
• Classic baby names are still popular in Saskatchewan, with Henry and Sophia topping the list for boys and girls in 2024. Oliver and Olivia claimed second place, maintaining their top positions from 2023. Other common names included Levi and Ellie in third place, followed by Theodore and Charlotte. Hazel and William rounded out the top five.

Last Week In Saskatchewan:

• Jon Hromek has stepped down as leader of the Saskatchewan United Party (SUP) after eight months in the role. The party, established in 2022 as an alternative to the Saskatchewan Party, did not win any seats in the recent provincial election but claimed influence over policies like the parents’ bill of rights. Party President Dwight Bunyan praised Hromek’s contributions, highlighting his lasting impact on the party's vision. Hromek urged continued focus on Saskatchewan-first policies and strong leadership amid national and global political uncertainty.
  
  
• As outgoing Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, Russ Mirasty reflected on his tenure, highlighting his efforts to make the office more accessible and to incorporate Indigenous culture, particularly through his Cree language. One of his significant achievements was initiating the Saskatchewan Residential School Memorial at Regina's Government House, a project he felt passionate about due to his personal history as a residential school survivor. He emphasized the importance of allowing his successor to shape the role according to their own vision.
  
  
• Saskatchewan's rental market saw a slight increase in vacancy rates in 2024, reaching 2.7%, up from 2.4% the previous year. While this might provide some relief to both rental housing providers and tenants, the market is still considered tight, with renters sometimes facing months of searching and bidding wars due to limited availability. A healthy vacancy rate is typically between 3.5% and 4.5%, and while Saskatchewan remains the most affordable province for renting, rising costs for insurance, property taxes, and utilities are driving rent increases.