Riding profile: Regina-Wascana

This urban riding covers Regina east of Albert Street and south of the CP rail line. Itcontainsmany localattractions such asWascanaLake, the downtown, the University of Reginaand the city's "big box"area in the east end.

The ridingused to stretch pastthe town ofMontmartre, but the rural area was cut out in the last redistribution of federal ridings.

• See the 2011results from each polling station

Candidates herehave to appeal to voters with very different backgrounds. For example, there are 30 seniors' homes in the ridingbut also a lot of student housing near the university.

There is a big difference in economic backgrounds too.In one corner of the riding, you can buy a house for $80,000.At the edge of the city in the east end, houses sell foras highas$1 million.

THECANDIDATES IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER:

April Bourgeois -New Democratic Party

Bourgeois is currently the executive director ofa community-based agency that works with people withdisabilities.She has a background inco-operative and credit union management. In1993, sheco-founded Prairie Dog, anews, arts, and entertainment magazine in Regina.

"We believe that we need to acknowledge climate change, we need to start repairing our reputation internationally, and acknowledgethe problems here in Canada."

Ralph Goodale- Liberal Party of Canada

Goodale has been the Member of Parliament in this part of Reginafor 22 years. He is currently the deputy leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. He has experience as theminister of agriculture, theminister ofnatural resources, theminister ofpublic works andtheminister offinance when the Liberal Party was in power.

"It's important for this community to have a very loud voice that digs in its heels when necessary to get the results that the community needs."

Michael Kram- Conservative Party of Canada

Kramgrew up in Regina and specializesininformation technologysystems for government and industry. He has a background in computer science and economics.Kram has worked both in the public andthe private sector, includingfor the federal governmentand as a consultant for provincial government agencies.

"I believe that people can spend their own money better than the government can and the ConservativePartywants to keep taxes low for working families and everyone else."

Frances Simonson- Green Party of Canada

Simonson has a background insoil science and organic farming.She has worked as a professional agrologist andasan independent organic farm inspector. Shegrew up in the Regina-Wascana riding. Simonson is currentlyinstalling solar panels on her home. She says she is interested inevidence-based solutions.

"I'm really doing this because I'm a voter that sees the Green Party platform is amazing and... I really think that Canada has achance to make a great country into an amazing one."