Regina Pasqua

Regina Pasqua was created for the 2016 election from portions of several former Regina ridings. In 2016, Saskatchewan Party candidate Muhammad Fiaz won the new seat in one of the closest races in the province, defeating the NDP by just 275 votes. Fiaz made history as the first Muslim elected to the Saskatchewan Legislature. Heading into 2020, the riding remained competitive, and the NDP was hopeful that a strong challenge could recapture the seat.

Candidates

Muhammad Fiaz (Saskatchewan Party) — Born and raised in Pakistan, Fiaz earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree before immigrating to Toronto with his family in 1995, where they built a successful jewellery business. He moved to Saskatchewan in 2008 and worked as a road safety consultant for SGI. Active in community organizations, Fiaz volunteered with Humanity First and coached in the South Regina Community Soccer Program. He made history in 2016 as the first Muslim elected to the Saskatchewan Legislature.

Bhajan Brar (NDP) — Born and raised in Punjab, India, Brar immigrated to Canada with his family in 2005. He was educated and credentialed in several categories of electrical engineering both in India and Canada. Brar was a dedicated community volunteer in Regina, organizing and participating in numerous civic causes and organizations.

Heather Lau (Green Party) and Harry Frank (Progressive Conservative) each received approximately 4% of the vote, representing smaller-party alternatives in the riding.

Local Issues

Regina Pasqua encompassed some of the city's fastest-growing residential areas, and infrastructure demands were a consistent concern during the 2016-to-2020 term. The announcement of a new $40-million joint-use school facility in the Harbour Landing area in September 2020 highlighted the pace of development and the strain on educational infrastructure in the riding's newer subdivisions.

The riding's diverse population made immigration settlement services, language training, and cultural integration frequent topics during the campaign. Both major parties sought to appeal to the riding's multicultural communities. The broader provincial debate over healthcare funding, education resources, and the government's pandemic response also shaped the contest. The Saskatchewan Party pointed to economic management and opposition to the federal carbon tax, while the NDP focused on investments in public services and classroom supports.