New Regina city council lacking racial diversity

A racially-diverse group of candidates put their names forward for Regina's 2016 municipal election, but none were elected on Wednesday.

Of the 10 councillors and one mayor elected, no one is of a visible racial minority.

Ward 6 was a particularly diverse race. Seven of the nine candidates were Indigenous or of a visible minority. In the end, the ward went to Joel Murray, the son of the ward's previous councillor, Wade Murray.

• 4 new councillors elected to Regina city hall
• Regina election turnout lowest in decades

Ivy Kennedy, who helped out with Indigenous candidate Connie Deiter's campaign, said it's 2016 and time for more diversity in Regina city council.

"We need a diverse council. We need other people, different countries on council. There's immigrants coming into our country and we need a diverse council," said Kennedy, who is fromthe George Gordon First Nation.

Bill Stevenson, a Cowessess First Nation man, ran in the ward and got second place with 282 votes compared to Murray's 501 votes.

I think that going forward that this is an opportunity for us not only to learn from but to build upon.- Bill Stevenson, former candidate for councillor

Stevensen said he's encouraged by the number of Indigenous people who ran and that they're seeing politics as an avenue to express concerns.

"I think that going forward, that this is an opportunity for us not only to learn from but to build upon. It's just a matter of time before we see our first indigenous candidate [get elected]."

In an interview Wednesdaynight,Coun.-elect Joel Murray said getting elected is a humbling experience, and that he will work to buildsafer communities.

One way he suggested this be accomplished is through developing an anti-gang strategy that utilizes community outreach programs and the Regina Police Service.

Polling station switch

Stevenson said vote splitting was one issue,with several of the candidates getting around 150 to 250 votes.

Voter turnout in the area was also especially low, with fewer than 2,000 people casting ballots.

Stevenson said the switching of a polling station for some North Central residents to one in Eastview was a problem as well.

"Instead of a 10-minute walk to Albert Scott, we had to do a 45-minute drive to Eastview and back through traffic. So was that a factor? It probably was," Stevenson said.

Kennedy called the switch an obstacle to voting, even though the city set up bus services to take people to the polls.

"That caused a great bunch of confusion for the election, I feel. I was looking at it yesterday. The bus was going back and forth empty. Why create a big mass confusion like that?" she said.

Stevenson said the switching of the polling station shows a lack of understanding about the situations of a local community.

Moving forward, he saidhe hopes someone on city council will step up and take into consideration the diverse issues facing the ward.

"We need someone that understands, that takes the time. Someone that is going to be there for all the ward. I certainly encourage our current councillor to do that," he said.