Lengthy slate of candidates on the Oct. 26 ballot

Five people in running for mayor, 45 sign up to run for council seats

Reginans have a varied slate of candidates to choose from to represent them on city council this year.

After nominations closed Wednesday, five people had put their name forward for mayor. Incumbent Michael Fougere, who is completing his first term, is up against the brother of his predecessor, Tony Fiacco, and Jim Elliott, who received 0.9 per cent of the vote the last time around. They’re also competing against store owner Wayne Ast and playwright Evangeline Godron.

In 2012, when Pat Fiacco left the mayoral seat vacant, nine people vied for the spot.

For the 10 council seats, 45 people are in the running. That’s four more than in 2012. None of the seats will be acclaimed.

Both Ward 6 — which has the most candidates at nine — and Ward 3 are vacant. Ward 7, currently represented by Coun. Sharron Bryce, is the second most popular race with seven contenders.

There are a dozen female candidates, or 27 per cent of the ballot.

Several of the candidates are indigenous or new Canadians.

Ages range from those in their 20s to over 80.

Their occupations are just as varied: Nurse, teacher, engineer, taxi driver, business owner, Realtor and country music performer, among them.

Regina’s city council currently has two female councillors, both running again, and no minority representatives. It has never had a visible minority person elected.

The Regina Public School Board and Regina Catholic School Board trustees, also being elected on Oct. 26, have 17 candidates each.