In light of the unprecedented surge of COVID-19 cases and testing shortfalls in Saskatchewan, NDP Leader Ryan Meili called on the Sask. Party Government to extend the rental eviction moratorium and come up with a plan to help landlords and renters on July 27.听
The government announced eviction hearings for non-urgent matters will begin again starting on August 4.听
鈥淗ealth Minister Jim Reiter has had months to ensure the availability of proper testing capacity in Saskatchewan, but Saskatchewan remains significantly below the national average for testing and the minister won鈥檛 release data on testing waits,鈥� said Meili.
鈥淩eiter is leaving families flying blind during a spike in cases throughout the province. We need to extend the eviction ban until at least August 31 to support families and control the spread of COVID-19.鈥澨�
Meili asked the government to immediately bring together landlords and rental advocates to arrive at a proper process and potential subsidy for landlords who have lost significant revenue due to missed payments, and to prevent abuse of the eviction moratorium.听
Meili pointed to the government鈥檚 own logic both for the imposition of the eviction moratorium and for lifting it:
March 26:听鈥淯nder the circumstances, we want to ensure that tenants facing hardship as a result of COVID-19 can remain in their homes and follow all orders and recommendations from the Chief Medical Health Officer,鈥� Justice Minister and Attorney General Don Morgan said.
鈥淎n essential part of flattening the curve is staying home and self-isolating. We want to provide peace of mind that those taking the necessary precautions as a result of this unprecedented situation will still have a roof over their head.鈥�
July 7: 鈥淲hen the pandemic began, we wanted to ensure tenants facing hardship as a result of COVID-19 were able to take the necessary social-distancing measures,鈥� Justice Minister and Attorney General Don Morgan said.
鈥淲ith the success of flattening the curve in Saskatchewan, we believe it鈥檚 appropriate to lift the moratorium on non-urgent evictions.鈥澨�
There were 79 new cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan over the weekend and a doubling of the active case count.
The curve is no longer flat.听
鈥淎 successful re-opening strategy isn鈥檛 about getting there first, it鈥檚 about getting it right,鈥� said Meili.
鈥淗ealth Minister Jim Reiter has failed to show leadership for Saskatchewan families. We need to start taking steps now to ensure cases don鈥檛 spread further in the community as families prepare to send kids back to school in September. Extending the rental eviction moratorium is one action that the government can and should take now to support families and control the spread of COVID-19.鈥�
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