REGINA – When you’re looking to rent a house in Saskatchewan, or even just a room, you can’t be turned down based on your race or religion.
A landlord can reject you if you’re gay.
“When I saw Saskatchewan had made this exemption, I was really surprised,” said Jillian Bell, who was researching women’s advocacy when she came across a section of the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code.
It says no tenant can be discriminated against, unless it’s based on sexual orientation – specifically in duplexes, or homes with only one or two units, where the owner or their family live too.
The UR Pride Centre says renters have been turned down, and felt it happened because they were gay.
“People seeking rental homes as a same-sex couple, we sometimes find people having a much harder time finding a place to live,” said the UR Pride Centre’s Leah Keiser.
There have been several cases of sexual discrimination before the Saskatchewan Association on Human Rights. Barb Dedi says they’ve all been in the workplace – the only housing issues have centred on race.
The group tries to mediate before brining cases to the Human Rights Commission.
“We sit down the individual, talk things through, find out where he or she feels they’ve been discriminated against. Then we follow through with who they think is the offender.”
Justice minister Gord Wyant says the code is under review as it hasn’t been changed in 20 years.
Those advocating for equal rights hope that streak ends soon.
“I can’t imagine this being the last conversation I ever have about gender equality and anti-discrimination against sexual orientation,” said Bell.
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