Regina—Wascana

Regina—Wascana covers the southeastern portion of Saskatchewan's capital city, an area of roughly 52 square kilometres with a population approaching 89,000. The riding includes the University of Regina, Wascana Centre (one of the largest urban parks in North America), the provincial legislature grounds, and a mix of established neighbourhoods and newer suburban developments. Communities within the riding range from low-income areas to affluent enclaves, along with student housing near the university campus and classic middle-class suburbs.

The riding has a storied political history. For over two decades, from 1993 to 2019, it was held by Liberal Ralph Goodale, who served as Minister of Finance and Minister of Public Safety. His defeat in 2019 by Conservative Michael Kram marked a significant shift in a riding once considered a reliable Liberal stronghold and the party's last foothold in Saskatchewan.

Candidates

Michael Kram (Conservative) was born and raised in Regina and holds degrees in computer science and economics from the University of Regina. Before entering politics, he worked for 20 years in information technology, developing software for private-sector and government clients including the Department of National Defence. First elected in 2019, he was re-elected in 2021.

Jeffrey Walters (Liberal) is a lecturer at the University of Regina in the departments of sociology and justice studies. He previously worked for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Federal Indian Residential Schools Adjudication Secretariat. Walters ran in the 2020 Saskatchewan provincial election as a Liberal and served as leader of the Saskatchewan Liberal Party from 2021 to 2023.

Kaitlyn Stadnyk (NDP) grew up on a family farm outside Lumsden and holds a Bachelor of Human Justice from the University of Regina, where she founded the university's Restorative Justice Club. She has worked in social services and volunteered with the John Howard Society of Saskatchewan, White Pony Lodge, and Souls Harbour Rescue Mission. She previously ran for the Saskatchewan NDP in a 2023 provincial by-election in Lumsden—Morse.

Peter Bruce (People's Party) grew up in Toronto but has lived and worked in Regina since 1981. He worked for 37 years at SaskTel before retiring.

Kimberly Epp (Green Party) is a conservationist and educator who grew up on a grain farm near Rosthern. She has written extensively for publications including Nature Saskatchewan's Blue Jay magazine and works with the Moose Jaw Nature Society on community environmental programs.

About the Riding

Regina—Wascana's economy is intertwined with the provincial capital's role as a government, education, and services hub. The University of Regina and its associated research centres are major employers, as is the provincial government whose legislative precinct sits within the riding. Wascana Centre, the sprawling urban park surrounding Wascana Lake, is both a defining feature of the riding and a popular recreational space.

The riding's character as a classic suburban constituency—mixing blue-collar neighbourhoods with affluent areas and a student population—gives it a demographic profile that often mirrors national trends. Housing affordability has become a growing concern even in Regina, where prices have historically been moderate by Canadian standards.

The 2025 election in Regina—Wascana drew interest as a potential bellwether for Liberal fortunes in Saskatchewan. With the party hoping to rebuild its presence in the province under new leader Mark Carney, the riding's political history and its mix of university-educated, public-sector, and suburban voters made it one of Saskatchewan's closer contests to watch. Trade tensions, affordability, and healthcare were key campaign themes.