Home Builders’ Associations Warn New Provincial Legislation Will Add Thousands to the Cost of a New Home

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 19, 2025

Home Builders’ Associations Warn New Provincial Legislation Will Add Thousands to the Cost of a New Home

SASKATOON, SK — The Saskatoon & Region Home Builders’ Association (SRHBA) and Regina & Region Home Builders’ Association (RRHBA) are raising strong concerns following the Government of Saskatchewan’s sudden announcement of The Building Schools Faster Act. The legislation fundamentally changes how land for new schools will be acquired in growing communities and will directly increase the cost of new homes in developing neighbourhoods.

Leading up to the announcement, the two Saskatchewan Home Building Associations, along with other industry and municipal partners, had been active participants in the Province’s School Site Working Group, a forum specifically established to develop a balanced, collaborative solution. As key industry stakeholders, both Associations expected any significant policy changes to be discussed through that process. Instead, industry received no advance notification, and the announcement came without prior engagement or discussion.

According to the Province’s news release, the legislation will:

• Require municipalities to purchase land for new school sites in future development areas;
• Introduce a new school land development charge on subdivision developers; and
• Permit municipalities to increase municipal reserve requirements by an additional 2%.

“These measures represent a fundamental shift in how school sites are funded,” said Stu Niebergall, President & CEO of the RRHBA. “It is clear the Province, the City of Regina, and the City of Saskatoon have aligned on a model that may work for government, but results in a win/win/lose scenario. Unfortunately, the party who loses is the new home buyer, who will ultimately absorb the increased costs created by this complete overshoot of a solution.”

The SRHBA echoed this concern, emphasizing the affordability impact and the lack of meaningful prior engagement, “Downloading these costs onto new construction homebuyers, at a time when affordability is already a crisis is the wrong move,” said Nicole Burgess, CEO of the SRHBA. “Our preliminary analysis shows this legislation could add an estimated $8,000 to the price of a new home. Families trying to enter the housing market should not be footing the bill for government policy changes announced without proper consultation.”

The Saskatchewan Home Builders’ Associations are disappointed not only in the substance of the announcement, but also in its timing and process. “Our industry has been working in good faith at the School Site Working Group table,” Niebergall added. “Releasing this legislation without prior notification undermines that collaborative effort and leaves many outstanding questions about implementation, cost impacts, and long-term effects on housing affordability.”

The SRHBA & RRHBA is actively seeking clarification from government officials to better understand the implications for builders, developers, and future homebuyers across Saskatchewan.
Given the potential magnitude of these changes, the SRHBA & RRHBA felt it necessary to inform members immediately and will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

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For questions or further comment, please contact:
Nicole Burgess | CEO
Saskatoon & Region Home Builders’ Association
ceo@saskatoonhomebuilders.com
306-955-5188
or
Stu Niebergall | CEO
Regina & Region Home Builders’ Association
s.niebergall@reginahomebuilders.com
306-546-5221

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