Pregnancy & Family Status Discrimination in Saskatchewan

As a renter in Saskatchewan, facing discrimination because you are pregnant or have family responsibilities can feel stressful and isolating. This guide explains how provincial human rights protections apply to housing, what behaviour counts as pregnancy or family status discrimination, and practical steps tenants can take to document incidents and seek remedies. You’ll learn when to contact the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission, which forms you may need, how to preserve evidence, and what to expect from dispute processes. The language is plain and tenant-focused so you can act confidently—whether negotiating with a landlord, filing a human rights complaint, or pursuing a residential tenancy dispute.

What is pregnancy and family status discrimination?

Pregnancy and family status discrimination happens when someone is treated unfairly in housing because they are pregnant, recently gave birth, are nursing, or have family care responsibilities. This can include refusals to rent, unequal terms in a lease, or harassment that makes it hard to keep or access housing. Protected grounds and the duty to accommodate are set out in provincial law and enforced through the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission^[1] and the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code^[2].

Examples tenants should watch for

• Landlord refuses to rent or ends a tenancy because a tenant is pregnant or has young children.
• Landlord imposes different rules or extra charges for tenants with family responsibilities.
• Failure to accommodate a tenant’s medical needs related to pregnancy or postpartum recovery.

What to do first: document and preserve evidence

Start by saving messages, emails and photos and writing a short timeline of events with dates, times and witness names. Keep copies of the lease, rent receipts and any written notices from your landlord. If health or repairs are involved, take clear photos and note the dates you reported problems and the landlords responses. Good records make it easier to explain the issue to advocacy services or the tribunal.

Official complaint routes and forms

To challenge discrimination, most tenants begin with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission. The Commission accepts a Human Rights Complaint Form for incidents involving protected grounds; there is no specific numerical form identifier on the Commission page. Example: if you were denied a unit after telling a landlord you are pregnant, describe the denial, include dates and witnesses, and attach copies of texts or emails when you complete the complaint form^[1].

The Office of Residential Tenancies handles tenancy-specific disputes like eviction notices, termination and many repair disputes. Tenants can use an Application for Dispute Resolution or related tenancy forms to raise unlawful evictions or tenancy terminations; this is useful when a landlord mixes tenancy reasons with discriminatory conduct^[3]. Example: if a landlord issues a termination notice that seems tied to family status, you might file a tenancy application to stop the eviction while also pursuing a human rights complaint.

Read the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code for the legal standard on discrimination, protected grounds and the duty to accommodate^[2].

How a complaint usually proceeds

1. Contact the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission to confirm eligibility and request the complaint form.
2. File the complaint with a clear timeline, copies of messages and any supporting documents.
3. The Commission may offer mediation; if unresolved, the matter can proceed to an inquiry or hearing for a formal decision.

Reasonable accommodation and what to expect

Landlords must reasonably accommodate needs related to pregnancy or family status unless doing so would cause undue hardship. Reasonable accommodation might include temporary parking changes for medical appointments, allowing a support person in the unit after childbirth, or scheduling inspections to avoid interfering with care responsibilities. If a landlord refuses accommodation, document the refusal and include that information with any complaint.

When to get legal help or community support

• Contact a legal clinic or tenant advice service for help drafting a complaint, understanding deadlines, or preparing for mediation.
• If health or repairs are part of your situation, gather medical notes and repair records and see Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting for practical steps on documenting hazards.
• For other common tenancy problems and resolution options, review Common Issues Tenants Face and How to Resolve Them.

FAQ

Can a landlord refuse to rent to me because I am pregnant?

No. Refusing to rent because you are pregnant is discrimination and can be the subject of a complaint to the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission.

Can I be evicted for having children or a newborn?

No. Evictions must follow tenancy rules and cannot be based on protected grounds like family status; you can challenge improper eviction through the Office of Residential Tenancies and also report discrimination to the Human Rights Commission.

How long do I have to file a human rights complaint?

Deadlines vary, so contact the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission quickly after the last discriminatory act to confirm time limits and preserve evidence.

How-To

1. Gather evidence: dates, messages, photos, witness names, and copies of notices or lease terms.
2. Complete the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission complaint form and attach supporting documents.
3. Submit the complaint to the Commission and ask about mediation or intake timelines.
4. If a tenancy issue like eviction is involved, file an Application for Dispute Resolution with the Office of Residential Tenancies while your human rights matter proceeds.

Key Takeaways

• Pregnancy and family status are protected under Saskatchewan law and tenants have routes for remedies.
• Document incidents, keep records, and use official complaint forms to start processes.

Help and Support / Resources

• Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission
• Office of Residential Tenancies
• Saskatchewan Human Rights Code

For general rental searches and to find housing options that fit your needs, Find rental homes across Canada on Houseme.

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1. [1] Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission
2. [2] Saskatchewan Human Rights Code
3. [3] Office of Residential Tenancies - Application forms