Stiffer trespassing penalties are coming for repeat offenders.

The maximum penalty for trespassing on the same land is rising to $25,000 on January 1.

Six months' imprisonment is also being added as a possible penalty.

The government is also introducing changes to make it easier for rural landowners to take legal action against people trespassing on their property.

"The vast majority of people in Saskatchewan seek permission to access a property," Justice Minister and Attorney General Gordon Wyant said. "These changes will support and extend that best practice by creating a statutory tort of trespass and providing for increased penalties for trespassers."

The province said the Trespass to Property Act looks to balance the needs of landowners with the wishes of those who want access to private property for "legitimate recreational activities." The changes are a response to concerns expressed by rural landowners about people repeatedly trespassing on their property.

Any corporation complicit in a trespassing offence is now liable to have to pay up to $200,000.

The Bill establishes that property owners can sue trespassers. The onus will also be placed on the trespasser to justify why they're on the property, instead of the landowner being required to prove the person was on there without permission.

These changes support previous amendments to The Trespass to Property Amendment Act, 2021 that are scheduled to come into force on January 1, 2022.