Sweeping new safety regulations came into effect across Saskatchewan on November 1, 2026, fundamentally altering building safety requirements for multi-unit residential buildings. Officially dubbed “Henry’s Law,” the new legislation mandates the installation of carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in every individual residential suite within multi-unit buildings, completely removing previous exemptions based on proximity to fuel-burning appliances.
Prior to the enforcement of this law, provincial regulations only required CO alarms in units that directly housed a fuel-burning appliance or were immediately adjacent to service rooms containing them.
A Legacy of Advocacy
“The legislation is named in honor of Henry Losco, an 11-year-old who tragically died of carbon monoxide poisoning while sleeping in the bedroom of his fourth-floor Metro 1827 apartment in Regina in December 2025.”
Immediate Requirements for Landlords
The law places the strict onus of compliance on property owners, landlords, and condo boards. Key mandates include:
Universal Installation: Alarms must be present in all self-contained residential suites, regardless of whether the specific unit utilizes gas, wood, or electricity.
Power Source Standards: Alarms must be either hardwired into the building’s electrical system, plugged into a secure outlet, or powered by a non-removable, 10-year sealed lithium battery.
Interconnected Systems: In newly constructed multi-unit buildings, CO alarms must be interconnected so that an activation in one area alerts neighboring units.
Enforcement and Inspections
Municipal enforcement agencies and local fire departments are expected to begin phased code-compliance inspections this week. Property owners found in violation of Henry’s Law face substantial fines under revised provincial building standards acts, with penalties scaling based on the size of the building and the duration of non-compliance. Failure to comply with provincial construction codes can result in an administrative penalty or fine of up to CAD$5,000. In cases of ongoing or continuous non-compliance, property owners face an additional fine of up to CAD$1,000 per day for every day the building remains out of compliance.
Safety officials are urging tenants in multi-unit buildings to check their units for compliant alarms and to contact their property management or local housing authorities immediately if their building has not yet been upgraded.