SaskatchewanThe province is adding $20 million to the Provincial Approach to Homelessness (PATH) project over the next three years to boost supports for the growing number of Saskatchewan residents who are homeless. But the NDP say government dollars should not be spent to put people in the Coachman Inn Motel. Social services minister says Coachman motel passed health inspection, appropriate for useLaura Sciarpelletti · CBC News · Posted: Nov 21, 2025 6:00 AM EST | Last Updated: 28 minutes agoListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.The NDP says it has heard from social services clients that the Coachman Motor Inn in Regina has bedbugs and cockroaches. However, the motel passed a health inspection in late August. (Kirk Fraser/CBC)The NDP Opposition put the Saskatchewan Party government on blast for continuing to put vulnerable social services clients in the Coachman Motor Inn. The motel has come under fire for years after numerous reports of what the NDP calls “deplorable conditions,” including bug infestations and drugs.The Coachman passed its latest health inspection in August, according to Health Minister Terry Jenson. During question period at the legislature Thursday, he maintained that the motel is an appropriate place for people to stay. “I’ve heard the reports, but again, that property has passed its most recent health inspection. And if there are concerns when it comes to pests, those concerns should be brought forward to public health and they can follow up,” Jenson told reporters.Minister of Social Services Terry Jenson says if people have pest concerns at the Coachman, they should be reported and followed up on by the Saskatchewan Health Authority. (Kirk Fraser/CBC)Meanwhile, emails obtained through a freedom of information request by the NDP show that officials in the Ministry of Social Services recommended the Sask. Party cease using the Coachman as early as July 2024. “This is a hotel that I think all of us in this city, in Regina certainly, understand is not a place where most of us would put our dogs, frankly, let alone vulnerable children [and] women fleeing violence,” said NDP Leader Carla Beck.On Wednesday the province announced it’s adding $20 million to the Provincial Approach to Homelessness (PATH) project over the next three years to boost supports for the growing number of Saskatchewan residents who are homeless. Regina will get $1.1 million from the increase. Beck said government dollars should not be spent on putting people in the Coachman. “Take that hotel off the list. Stop putting vulnerable people in a hotel that is infested with bugs and drugs. Show some leadership. This is just not acceptable,” she said.Sask. NDP Leader Carla Beck says the Coachman Motor Inn should not be used to shelter vulnerable social services clients like children and women escaping violence. (Kirk Fraser/CBC )CBC reached out to the NDP for clarification concerning its argument that the Coachman continues to provide poor conditions for social services clients after the last health inspection. It responded that an office manager has “conducted case work for social services clients put up in this motel who also experienced these conditions.”Some money from the new increase in PATH funding will go toward creating new emergency shelter spaces. Jenson said once those are created, they will be the prioritized space for social services clients, and the Coachman will be a backup. The NDP has also called for the social services minister to stay at the Coachman to witness the conditions. He told reporters he has not yet visited the motel.”If I can find some time in my schedule, I’d be more than happy to go visit,” Jenson said.ABOUT THE AUTHORLaura is a journalist, radio host and newsreader at CBC Saskatchewan. She previously worked at CBC Vancouver, CBC Toronto and The Globe and Mail. She has also guest reported on the BBC World Service. Laura specializes in human interest, arts and health care coverage. She holds a Master of Journalism degree from the University of British Columbia. Send Laura news tips at laura.sciarpelletti@cbc.ca
NDP calls on province to halt use of Regina motel with ‘deplorable’ conditions for social services clients
