Sask. MLA whose hotels' dealings with social services drew attention will not seek re-election

Saskatchewan Party MLA Gary Grewal will not seek re-election, the party announced on Friday. 

"It has been an honour to serve the people of Regina Northeast for these past four years," Grewal said in a statement on social media. 

He's the 11th Saskatchewan Party MLA to announce they will not be running in the upcoming campaign. 

Grewal (Regina Northeast) has come under recent scrutiny for how much money his hotels have charged the Ministry of Social Services.

Earlier this month the NDP released documents listing all hotels that had received $50,000 or more from the ministry in the 2022-23 fiscal year.

The Sunrise Motel and the Thriftlodge, two Regina motels that Grewal has ownership stakes in, received a combined $384,178.

The Official Opposition alleges that the two hotels raised the price on rooms once social services started footing the bill to house clients at those locations.

Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky has defended the province's use of the hotels for immediate assistance to individuals or families in emergency situations, or for longer-term support for families and children in crisis.

Since some hotels won't accept people on income assistance because of past issues, the province's options are limited, he said.

However, the Ministry of Social Services has recently implemented changes to how it procures rooms.

The ministry now requires three quotes from hotels before picking one to house clients, and must also enter into a formal contract with specific hotels in Saskatoon and Regina.

The office of Saskatchewan's auditor has confirmed that it will investigate the province's procurement and payment practices for when people on social assistance need to stay at hotels.

The auditor's report on the subject is scheduled to be issued in December 2024 — after this year's provincial election.