Joel DyckReal Broker SK Ltd.
Saskatoon · From the topic map

What are the arguments against mandating all-union labor on conversions?

The main argument against mandating all-union labour on a conversion project is competition. Requiring every trade to be unionized narrows the pool of contractors who can bid, and a smaller bidder pool tends to push construction costs up and can slow a project's timeline in 2026, which affects how many units it ultimately adds.

CMHC tracks housing starts and construction costs nationally, and that cost pressure is exactly the kind of input that shows up in whether a conversion or new-build project pencils out at all for a developer.

Joel Dyck, a REALTOR® with Real Broker SK Ltd. in Saskatoon, notes the counterargument matters too: supporters of a mandate say it protects wages and training standards, and any such requirement here would be a developer's own contracting choice or tied to a specific public incentive, not a blanket City of Saskatoon rule.

Get your hand-reviewed valuation from Joel Dyck.

Get your hand-reviewed valuation from Joel Dyck.

Still have a question?

Ask Joel directly. No form, no obligation, and a real answer even when the answer is that now is not the time to sell.