Regina Coronation Park

Regina Coronation Park is located in the north-central part of Regina, encompassing the neighbourhoods of Coronation Park, Argyle Park, Cityview, Englewood, Highland Park, and Churchill Downs. Mark Docherty of the Saskatchewan Party had held the seat since 2011, winning three consecutive elections. He served in cabinet as Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport and later as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly from 2018 to 2020. The riding had been closely contested in 2016, when Docherty won by just 144 votes over the NDP's Ted Jaleta, making it one of the tightest races in the province.

The 2020 contest was another close affair. Docherty, returning to the backbenches after his stint as Speaker, faced NDP challenger Noor Burki in a riding with a growing immigrant and newcomer population. Docherty ultimately prevailed by 283 votes, making it the fifth-closest race in the province.

Candidates

Mark Docherty (Saskatchewan Party) — Docherty was born and raised in Regina and holds degrees in Science and Human Justice, along with a Master of Social Work from the University of Regina. Before entering politics, he spent his career working with vulnerable populations in human service roles, including as director of Dales House, director of Immigration Settlement, supervisor for the Health-Community Care Branch, team leader at the Paul Dojack Youth Centre, and clinical director for Leading Thunderbird Lodge. He also taught courses at the University of Regina and Saskatchewan Polytechnic. An accomplished athlete despite living with multiple sclerosis, he is a three-time finisher of the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon World Championships.

Noor Burki (NDP) — Burki holds a Master's degree in Computer Science and has experience working for both large and small corporations. He shifted careers to become a driving instructor and founded Wascana Driving School Inc. in 2008. He is active in a number of community organizations including Spring Free from Racism, the Pakistan Canada Cultural Association, and the Darul Falah Islamic Centre.

David Coates (Progressive Conservative) — Coates was born in London, Ontario, and moved to Saskatchewan in 1982. He worked as a mechanic in Regina before moving into property management, and later retired to volunteer with the Neil Squire Society.

Irene Browatzke (Green Party) — Browatzke ran for the Green Party in Regina Coronation Park as part of the party's effort to contest ridings across the province.

Local Issues

Regina Coronation Park's growing newcomer and immigrant communities brought issues of settlement services, employment access, and cultural integration to the forefront of local politics. Both major party candidates reflected the riding's diversity, and campaign discussions focused on how well government programs were serving new Canadians. Affordable housing was a concern in the riding's older neighbourhoods, where some residents struggled with rising costs.

The broader austerity measures introduced in the 2017 provincial budget under Brad Wall continued to reverberate in Regina's north-end communities. The budget had raised the provincial sales tax and extended it to previously exempt items like children's clothing and restaurant meals, while cutting funding to libraries, education, and municipalities. These measures hit hardest in working-class neighbourhoods like those in Coronation Park, where household budgets were already tight.

The COVID-19 pandemic added a layer of uncertainty to the 2020 campaign. Regina Coronation Park's residents, many of whom worked in essential services, faced health risks and economic disruption. The pandemic also affected how the campaign was conducted, with traditional door-knocking replaced by socially distanced contact and expanded mail-in voting. Healthcare and education remained the top issues provincewide, with the NDP promising $2.7 billion in new spending over four years and the Saskatchewan Party campaigning on its record of economic management.