REGINA — Numbers released Tuesday by Statistics Canada indicate housing starts are up in Saskatchewan and that inflation is below the national average.
In March 2024, urban housing starts in Saskatchewan increased by 12.1 per cent, compared to March 2023.
Housing starts on single-family dwellings also increased by 35.7 per cent, and multiple units increased by 3.8 per cent, compared to March 2023.
The Government of Saskatchewan pointed out in a media release Tuesday that the province recently saw success in building permits where the province totaled $235 million in February 2024 (seasonally-adjusted), marking a 96.2 per cent increase from January 2024, which is the highest increase among the provinces. Saskatchewan also showed significant year-over-year growth in this category, with an increase of 22.6 per cent, compared to February 2023.
Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said the province continues to grow at rates not seen in more than a century.
In March 2024, the consumer price index in Saskatchewan increased by only 1.5 per cent from March 2023 (seasonally-unadjusted). This is the second lowest increase in Canada, and well-below the national average of 2.9 per cent.
"Saskatchewan is well-below the national average in terms of consumer price index increases in Canada, and we are seeing further proof that removing the carbon tax on home heating is keeping inflation down," said Harrison.
