Question Period (3 November 2025)

From Hansard (3 November 2025)

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Addressing Homelessness

Carla Beck: — Mr. Speaker, if we’re doing so well . . . [inaudible] . . . seniors in The Battlefords using the food bank has doubled since that Premier took office, Mr. Speaker. But it is not just The Battlefords. The number of people using the food banks has increased by almost 50 per cent province-wide, and we have the highest percentage of children using the food bank in this province compared to all other provinces, Mr. Speaker. Yet we have a premier that defends his taxes on children’s clothing and groceries, all while he refuses to do a thing to reduce the skyrocketing rate of rents in this province.

Now Erin Katerynych, Mr. Speaker, the executive director of The Battlefords food bank, recently said, and I quote, “At one time, we mainly supported people on social assistance. Today we’re seeing working families who can’t make ends meet. Food costs are up, rent is up, but wages are not.”

Does the Premier have any idea how badly people in this province are struggling, or is he going to stand up again and tell them how affordable things are?

Hon. Terry Jenson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And as the Premier has said, Saskatchewan remains one of the most affordable places to live, work, and raise a family in Canada.

Over the last two years, this has been a government that has supported the Food Banks of Saskatchewan with $2 million over the last two years to help with their operations, Mr. Speaker. You know, we recognize that rising costs impact people differently, and that’s why our government continues to take meaningful action to make life more affordable. This includes the Saskatchewan employment incentive that helps low-income working families with essential costs.

I would point to the latest Food Banks Canada HungerCount report in 2025, Mr. Speaker. This report has confirmed that Saskatchewan’s overall food bank usage is below the national average. Increases in food bank usage in the last five years were higher in seven provinces, including NDP Manitoba and NDP British Columbia, Mr. Speaker.

While we don’t want to see anyone need to rely on food banks to feed their families, Mr. Speaker . . .

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