Saskatchewan is set to mandate the installation of carbon monoxide alarms in all residential units within multi-unit buildings across the province. This initiative, known as “Henry’s Law,” is named after 11-year-old Henry Losco, who tragically lost his life due to a faulty commercial boiler emitting the colorless and odorless gas into his family’s apartment in Regina last December.
Henry’s parents, Marina Hills and Sergio Losco, stood alongside Minister of Government Relations Eric Schmalz and NDP MLAs Meara Conway and Erika Ritchie during the announcement of these regulatory updates. Hills expressed their mission to prevent further carbon monoxide-related deaths, emphasizing the significance of Henry’s Law in ensuring the safety of families and children in their homes.
Effective November 1, 2026, all residential suites, regardless of their location within the building, must be equipped with CO alarms in both new constructions and existing buildings. The swift implementation of these changes was acknowledged by Hills, who highlighted the collaborative efforts between different parties in the legislature for the betterment of the province.
The commitment to prioritizing the safety of Saskatchewan residents was underscored by Schmalz, who noted that the province’s regulations would now surpass national building codes. This move positions Saskatchewan as a leader in Canada, with plans to share Henry’s story with other provincial counterparts to advocate for similar measures nationwide.
Previously, Saskatchewan updated its building standards in 2022 to mandate carbon monoxide and smoke detectors in all residential buildings. These requirements superseded the previous regulations where smoke alarms were only necessary in new residential buildings constructed after 1988, and carbon monoxide alarms were mandated in homes built after 2009.
Consultations with Rental Housing Saskatchewan and landlord organizations preceded the announcement, receiving positive feedback on the new CO alarm requirements. Both Rental Housing Saskatchewan CEO Landon Field and Regina and Region Home Builders’ Association president Stu Niebergall expressed support for the changes, emphasizing the importance of enhancing detection systems in multi-unit buildings to enhance resident safety.