About Regina

Regina is the capital of Saskatchewan and the 18th largest city in Canada with a population of 210,556 (Source: Statistics Canada, 2011.)

Location

Regina is the Canadian city closest to the geographical centre of North America at a latitude of 50° 26' and a longitude of 104° 37'. The altitude is 577.4 metres above sea level. The city covers about 118.4 sq km (45.7 sq mi). It is located on the Trans-Canada Highway midway between Winnipeg, Manitoba and Calgary, Alberta. It is situated above the American states of North Dakota and Montana

Climate

Regina has a continental climate with cold, dry winters and warm summers. It is the provincial capital with the sunniest skies, averaging 2,365 hours of sunshine each year. Being on the semi-arid plains, the city receives about 364 millimetres of precipitation annually. There are about 113 frost-free summer days.

Industry and Commerce

Regina has a resource-based economy, tied to oil and gas, potash, and agricultural production. It is the home of the Co-op Heavy Oil Upgrader; IPSCO, Western Canada's largest steel producer; and the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. The city is also home to the provincial Crown utilities: SaskEnergy, SaskPower, and SaskTel. It is still a major trading centre for agriculture. The city's economy has also diversified into banking and finance, computer and information technology, film and video production, manufacturing, and telecommunications.

Attractions

Wascana Centre, at the heart of the city, is one of the largest urban parks in North America. The Saskatchewan Legislative Building sits in the park on the southern shore of Wascana Lake. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police Training Academy and National Heritage Centre attract thousands of visitors each year. Other attractions include: the Royal Saskatchewan Museum; the MacKenzie Art Gallery; the Conexus Arts Centre; the Saskatchewan Science Centre; Government House Heritage Property; and the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.

The Profile of our Capital City contains detailed information about Regina and our history. Let’s Learn about Regina is directed toward a younger audience, including some fun activities for kids. (Note: Let's Learn about Regina booklet is a large file over 2 MB and may take some time to download.) Courtesy: Tourism Regina

Resources

Regina’s resource based economy is fuelled by agriculture, oil and gas production and development, as well as telecommunications.

Major Industries

Regina has been named one of the most affordable places to do business in western North America several times over the past few years. The Regina Regional Opportunities Commission attracts new business to the area and fosters the growth of existing businesses.

Education

Regina has 2 school boards supported by property taxes. The Regina Public School Board administers all public elementary and high schools, while the Regina Catholic School Board runs elementary and high schools with a Roman Catholic affiliation.

There are 3 post-secondary educational centres in Regina. Wascana Campus of the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science & Technology, the University of Regina and the First Nations University of Canada (formerly the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College).

Health Care

There are 3 healthcare facilities in Regina:

• Regina General Hospital – 306-766-4444
• Pasqua Hospital – 306-766-2222
• Wascana Rehabilitation Centre – 306-359-5100

The hospitals are run by the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region, which also administers community health and wellness programs.

Libraries

Regina Public Library offers a wealth of resources to Regina citizens with 9 branches, offering automated catalogue and on-line information-searching capabilities.

Transportation

Regina is located on the Trans-Canada Highway. The Canadian Pacific and Canadian National railways run through the City. The Regina International Airport is served by 6 regular carriers, as well as charter service. Over 100 trucking and courier companies provide transportation of goods. There are 4 scheduled bus companies serving the community through the Saskatchewan Transportation Company.

The City of Regina Transit Service is Saskatchewan's oldest public transit system, with a fleet of 98 diesel buses that carry almost 6 million passengers on 16 integrated routes annually within the city.

For passengers who are unable to use regular transit, Regina Paratransit has a fleet of 23 lift-equipped buses and 9 minivans providing door-to-door transportation for registered clients.

Utilities

Water and sewer services are City-owned. SaskTel supplies telecommunication products and services. SaskPower and SaskEnergy supply electricity and natural gas.

Government

The City of Regina is governed by City Council, which is made up of the Mayor and 10 City Councillors. City Council establishes policies and budgets for programs and services delivered by the City of Regina. A number of committees have been established to assist City Council in carrying out its duties. These committees consider issues within their scope and make recommendations to Council or other committees, or exercise the authority delegated by City Council.

**Source - The City of Regina Website Regina.ca