‘It’s not just about $40’: Saskatchewan NDP, residents criticize SGI planned rate hike

Saskatoon resident Deepan Dasgupta visited the legislature Tuesday to share his thoughts on SGI's soon to be official rate increases.

Saskatchewan New Democrats are again slamming recently requested rate hikes at SGI, saying they will add pressure on drivers already facing rising costs.

The provincial insurer has requested 3.75 per cent rate hikes for both 2026 and 2027. If approved, the increase would amount to an average annual hike of $38 in the first year and is scheduled to take effect on an interim basis in June.

The Official Opposition raised the issue during question period on Tuesday, citing the hike as one part of a larger cost-of-living crisis.

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“The SGI rate hikes will hurt the hard-working people of this province,” NDP MLA Darcy Warrington said during question period.

Saskatoon resident Deepan Dasgupta was at the legislature Tuesday to draw attention to the proposed increases. He said the hikes would disproportionately affect people with limited incomes, including students and families new to Canada.

“It’s not just about $40,” he said. “… it’s going to be on an annual basis; it’s going to be plus $200 per family – and what about that poor kid who’s studying in the university? He has only himself to depend upon, a little bit of grant [money], maybe one part time job he does. What about him?”

In his questions to the government, Warrington pointed to the fact that owning a vehicle is a necessity in a large and spread-out province like Saskatchewan.

“Deepan, like many others, has to drive to work. It’s not a choice for him. His family needs to use the vehicle to drive to school – giving up his vehicle is not an option,” he noted.

In defense of the increase, CIC Minister Jeremy Harrison repeated the government’s position that Saskatchewan has among the lowest vehicle insurance rates in Canada.

“The auto fund operates on a not-for-profit basis. It’s professionally managed by our staff at SGI, who do a very good job in investing and managing that fund,” Harrison recounted in his answer. “We are facing pressures because of the increase in cost per repair of vehicles and that’s going to be reflected as we move forward.”

According to SGI, the average annual vehicle insurance premium in Saskatchewan is about $1,250. Comparable figures in Alberta, where insurance is privately delivered, are reported to exceed $3,100.

Any rate increases must be approved by the Saskatchewan Rate Review Panel.

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