Question Period (19 November 2025)

From Hansard (19 November 2025)

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Emergency Hotel Stays Paid by Social Services

Brent Blakley: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier this summer it came to light that this government has been placing vulnerable people in the Coachman hotel, a hotel where people complained of bedbugs, filthy conditions, and drugs sold in the hall.

Now we know that the government knew more than a year in advance how bad things were. A senior-level director wrote in an email, and I quote, “Not sure that this hotel should be on our list if this is the conditions of the hotel. And it sounds like it is known in Regina to be not a great hotel.”

Why did the minister ignore the warning signs and continue to put vulnerable people in these filthy conditions?

Hon. Terry Jenson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In Regina, there is very few hotel providers that are willing to accept certain income-assistance clients. To meet the needs of the clients who are in crisis, the ministry has on occasion used the Coachman, Mr. Speaker.

Due to the complex needs and challenges that some clients are facing, the ministry, like I said, we have limited options on where to place some clients. They may no longer be accepted at certain emergency shelters or hotels due to past behaviours or issues, Mr. Speaker.

We appreciate the work of our front-line ministry staff, Mr. Speaker, when it comes to protecting vulnerable people who are in crisis. We will continue to do everything we can to ensure they’re kept safe. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

 

Brent Blakley: — Mr. Speaker, this is disgusting. I’m willing to bet the Premier and the minister wouldn’t spend one minute inside that hotel. The emails show that the Sask Party knew this was a problem. They kept putting people there anyway. This was a band-aid solution. That’s what the Saskatchewan people can expect after 18 years of the Sask Party.

These emails came from their officials. Why did this government ignore the advice from their own officials and put vulnerable people into a motel with bugs, drugs, and God knows what else?

Hon. Terry Jenson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like I said, the Ministry of Social Services works with different hotel providers to provide critical assistance to families, children, and individuals who are in need of immediate help in emergencies or in terms of longer term support.

Mr. Speaker, we balance cost effectiveness, safety, and availability when securing hotel rooms. We have blocked-room contracts in both the cities of Saskatoon and Regina. In Regina we have eight rooms blocked, and if those rooms are full, Mr. Speaker, we go through a three-quote process if those blocked rooms are full.

Depending on the availability in Regina at that time, you know, we rely on our front-line staff to make that judgment call, Mr. Speaker. Hotels remain an important part of the ministry’s service continuum. The ministry’s actions are clear, we’re transparent, and we’re centred on those we serve who are quite often in crisis, Mr. Speaker.

 

Brent Blakley: — Mr. Speaker, when vulnerable people are faced with an emergency situation, they should have a safe place to go. But that’s not what’s happening after 18 years of the Sask Party.

My question is this, Mr. Speaker, to the minister: if it was his daughter, his niece, or his family member who was in a desperate emergency with nowhere to go, would he put them up in the Coachman motel?

Speaker Goudy: — We have to be careful how we’re . . . These are government questions. I think it’s . . . but I’ll ask the minister, you know, in general to answer the question. I recognize the Minister of Social Services.

Hon. Terry Jenson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I’ll repeat it again. In Regina we have very few hotel providers who are willing to take some income-assistance clients. On occasion when we absolutely have to, as a last resort, use the Coachman Inn, Mr. Speaker.

And this is an issue that we take very seriously and we rely on the professionalism and the work that our front-line service providers do. Under no circumstances, Mr. Speaker, are we going to let an individual have to stay outside or find things on their own. We’re going to do everything we can to protect that individual and put a roof over their head, Mr. Speaker.

And further to that, at no time are we going to ask our front-line ministry staff to pull over on the side of the road, log in to Hotels.com, and look for a promo code.

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