Saskatoon—University

Saskatoon—University covers the central and north-central portions of the city of Saskatoon, anchored by the University of Saskatchewan campus on the east bank of the South Saskatchewan River. The riding was created by the 2012 redistribution and incorporates portions of the former Saskatoon—Humboldt and Saskatoon—Wanuskewin ridings. Its boundaries are defined roughly by the South Saskatchewan River, Highway 5, McKercher Drive, 8th Street, Warman Road, and Wanuskewin Road. Following the 2022 redistribution, the riding absorbed additional territory north of 8th Street from the former Saskatoon—Grasswood.

The riding includes the university campus, Royal University Hospital, and a mix of established residential neighbourhoods such as City Park, Varsity View, Greystone Heights, Sutherland, and College Park, as well as the commercial corridor of 8th Street East. The University of Saskatchewan, with over 25,000 students and thousands of faculty and staff, is the dominant institution in the riding.

Candidates

Corey Tochor (Conservative) was first elected to the Saskatchewan Legislature in 2011 and re-elected in 2016, serving as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly—one of only 25 people to hold that office in Saskatchewan and the second youngest to be elected to the role. Prior to politics, Tochor was a Saskatoon entrepreneur who owned and operated a communications company after a career in sales and e-learning consulting. He was first elected federally in Saskatoon—University in 2019.

Greg Poelzer (Liberal) is a professor in the School of Environment and Sustainability at the University of Saskatchewan. He has spent over 30 years working on energy, mining, and sustainability issues with a focus on Indigenous partnerships. He is Co-Lead of the Fulbright Arctic Initiative III program and Co-Director of a multi-million-dollar SSHRC Partnership Grant on community energy security.

Melissa McGillivray (NDP) is a registered nurse who works as a psychiatric liaison nurse at St. Paul's Hospital emergency department. She has been a vocal advocate for healthcare workers, speaking at the Saskatchewan legislature about frontline conditions. She also serves as registrar for the Saskatoon and District Labour Council and is active in the trade union movement.

Jaxson Boot (People's Party) ran as the PPC candidate in the riding.

Isaiah Hunter (Green Party) ran as the Green Party candidate in the riding.

About the Riding

The University of Saskatchewan shapes nearly every aspect of life in this riding. The campus is a major research hub, home to the Canadian Light Source synchrotron, VIDO-InterVac, and the Global Institute for Food Security. The university is one of the largest employers in the city, and its student population gives the riding a younger demographic profile than most Saskatchewan constituencies.

Royal University Hospital, located on the university grounds, is the province's largest tertiary care facility and a key healthcare institution for all of Saskatchewan. Healthcare access and staffing—perennial issues across the province—took on particular resonance in this riding given the concentration of health professionals and institutions.

The 2025 campaign in Saskatoon—University played out against the backdrop of U.S. trade uncertainty, affordability concerns, and debates over federal research funding. The riding's academic community brought a distinct perspective to national issues, including science policy, international student fees, and the federal government's relationship with post-secondary institutions. The growing cost of housing in Saskatoon, particularly for students and young professionals in the neighbourhoods near campus, was a frequently raised concern.