About Regina

Regina, the second largest city and capitol of Saskatchewan, had royal beginnings as it is named after the famous British Queen Victoria.  Although “Queen Empress” Victoria never actually visited Canada, her daughter Louise lived in Ottawa from 1878-1883.  It was her daughter, Princess Louise that gave the city its name, dedicating Regina, Saskatchewan in honor of her mother, i.e. Victoria Regina, in 1882.  Ottawa is a long way from Regina, but the name stuck.

From Flatland to Parkland

When established in 1882, early Regina was a flat treeless plain with no topographical features except Wascana Creek, which was dammed by early settlers to create Wascana Lake.  The Albert Street Bridge (name after the Queen’s husband) was built during the Depression to span the river.  Over 30,000 shrubs and plants we added to the landscape, while American elms where planted on the front lawns in residential neighborhood and on public parkways.  Parks and greenspaces were integrated into city planning and recent residential developments and school building efforts have added artificial hills and parks to the landscape. The same commitment remains today to keep Regina green. Where else do you routinely see vacant land converted to a landscaped park?

Who Lives Here

In a recent 2007 census, over a third of the people considered themselves “Canadian,” while the balance of the population identified themselves as German, English, Scottish, Irish, Ukrainian, Aboriginal, Polish, Norwegian, an d Asian or South Asian.  The City of Regina’s history is rich with connections to First Nations culture, European settlers, the Royal Family, and the world renowned Royal Canadian Mounted Police. 

Tourist Book Info

Wascana Lake is the focal point of the local landscape and the site of both civic development and recreation.  Saskatchewan’s Provincial Legislativebuilding is located on the shore, along with both campuses of the University of Regina. Regina is home to the largest legislative building in Canada and hosts the world renowned  Royal Canadian Mounted Police Training Academyand  RCMP Heritage Centre. 

In the heart of the city you will find  Wascana Centre-a 2300-acre urban park boasting a pristine view of the Saskatchewan Legislature, marina, walking paths, bird watching venues, park area, tennis courts, picnic and BBQ sites. The park also accommodates the  Saskatchewan Science Centre and   Kramer Imax Theatre, the MacKenzie Art Gallery,and the Royal Saskatchewan Museum.  The Regina Public Libraryis a city-wide library system with nine branches playing key roles in their respective neighbourhoods. Its facilities include the RPL Film theatre which plays non-mainstream cinema, the Dunlop Art Gallery, special literacy services and a prairie history collection. 

Why You’d Want to Move Here

Great as it is to have rich cultural resources nearby, few people settle in Regina because we have big, stately buildings.  The fact is, we have a rocking economy, housing affordability, and a lively entertainment scene.

Aside from the many attractions, Regina is also rich in resources as agriculture, tourism, and oil and gas production fuel the economy.  While Regina's economic base is diverse it is also recognized as one of the most affordable places to live, work and do business in western North America.

According to the Saskatchewan Labour Market Commission (SLMC), Saskatchewan's labour force will need to grow by an additional 120,000 workers by the year 2020. This works out be an average of 10,000 more workers per year and, by the end, will be like adding the equivalent of another Regina to the province, when you consider these workers bringing their families, as well.

Our population here is young, with a median age of Regina residents is 37.3 ( 35.9 for males, 38.6 for females), and the median household income is $57,500.  The population of the city is just over 179,000 people. 

Housing in Regina is leading the country in rebounding from the recent economic slump.  In 2011, the resale price of area homes is expected to average $292,000.  Current construction projects are keeping up demand for housing for workers, especially skilled tradespeople, who are steaming into the area.  Regina is a city of neighbors organized into five regions, with additional development 10 miles outside the city.  Good roads and the city's public transit agency, Regina Transit, operates a fleet of 110 buses, on 16 routes, 7 days a week makes the city centre accessible from most areas of the city as well from outlying areas.