A proposal to stop developers from turning apartments into more lucrative condominiums was turned down by Saskatoon city council Monday.

The province suggested Saskatoon put a moratorium on the conversions to protect tenants who are being evicted into a low vacancy and increasingly costly rental market.

Coun. Glen Penner opposed the idea, saying the move would send property developers fleeing from the city.

"We know full well that a moratorium on condominium conversions is not the answer," Penner said during the debate.

"That's all that's suggested in here. Frankly, that suggestion, as far as I'm concerned, isn't worth the paper it's printed on."

The city hopes to find a solution that would protect both tenants and investors, says city official Paul Gauthier.

"We could work together with the province. The province can deal with controlling rents, we could deal with issuing permits."