The Saskatchewan Roughriders CFL team has the most passionate fan base in Canadian sports — by a considerable margin. In a province of just 1.2 million people, Roughrider green is everywhere, Grey Cup wins bring the entire province to a halt, and the team transcends sport to become a genuine cultural institution. Moving to Regina means joining one of the most unique sports communities in the country.
About Regina
Regina is the capital of Saskatchewan and the province's second-largest city, situated in the heart of the southern Plains. Named after Queen Victoria (Regina is Latin for 'Queen'), it was chosen as the capital of the Northwest Territories in 1882 before Saskatchewan became a province in 1905. The city is flat — famously, epically flat — but this gives it extraordinary big sky views and some of the most dramatic sunsets in Canada.
Wascana Centre — at 930 hectares, one of the largest urban parks in North America — sits in the heart of the city around Wascana Lake, home to the Saskatchewan Legislature, the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, and the MacKenzie Art Gallery. It's a remarkable civic achievement. The provincial government is the dominant employer. University of Regina and Saskatchewan Polytechnic anchor the post-secondary sector.
Pros & Cons of Living in Regina
✓ Pros
- Canada's most affordable provincial capital ($310K avg)
- Wascana Centre — one of N. America's largest urban parks
- Strong government employment stability
- Saskatchewan Roughriders — CFL's most passionate fan base
- 2,400+ sunshine hours per year
- University of Regina and Sask Polytechnic
- Short commutes — compact and manageable city
- Very low cost of living overall
✗ Cons
- Extremely flat landscape — no natural topography
- Very cold winters (-14°C avg January)
- Higher crime rate — one of the highest among Prairie cities
- Limited cultural amenities vs larger cities
- Car-dependent — limited transit
- Small job market outside government
- PST 6% + GST 5% = 11% total sales tax
- Downtown can feel underdeveloped