REGINA — There will be five candidates vying to win the Regina-Lewvan federal seat.
These include Ray Aldinger (Canada's New Democratic Party), Godwin Ezizor (People’s Party of Canada), Mac Hird (Liberal Party of Canada), Warren Steinley (Conservative Party of Canada), and Michael Wright (Green Party of Canada).
Ray Aldinger, NDP
Ray Aldinger, who grew up in Texas and Germany, has worked for nearly 30 years in adult and youth corrections.
From this work, Aldinger has been recognized with the Premier’s Award of Excellence in public service and also two minister's awards.
Aldinger ran for the NDP in 2019 for the Regina—Qu'appelle riding.
Godwin Ezizor, People’s Party of Canada
Godwin Ezizor has 20 years of experience in operations, engineering and ministry.
He currently serves as a pastor in several Sask. communities. Ezizor has also travelled to 22 countries on non-profit missions, which he said gained him a “deep cultural insight.”
Ezizor's website said he will fight for balanced budgets, housing affordability and a strong economy.
Mac Hird, Liberal Party of Canada
Mac Hird, born and raised in Regina, earned a physics degree from the University of Texas.
He previously served as a regional advisor to former MP Ralph Goodale.
In an interview with SaskToday, Hird said his biggest focus would be value-added manufacturing in Sask.
As U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs have hurt Canada’s economy, Hird believes having a higher value margin of goods means Canada can target other international markets besides America.
Warren Steinley, Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
Warren Steinley, born in Sask., is seeking his third re-election as MP for Regina—Lewvan.
He previously won the riding in 2019 and 2021.
For this election, Steinley said his biggest focus is on affordability, referencing the conservatives' promise to cut the income tax by 15 per cent.
Steinley also wants Canada to have more pipelines for fuel and energy, boosting Canada’s economy and providing good-paying jobs.
Michael Wright, Green Party of Canada
Michael Wright is the Green Party of Canada candidate for Regina—Lewvan.
He previously ran for the federal riding in 2019.
No information on his campaign platform has been provided.
Riding history
Regina—Lewvan was first created in the 2012 federal election boundaries redistribution and first contested in the 2015 federal election.
The NDP won the seat in 2015, with Erin Weir becoming the MP. Weir was booted from the NDP in 2018 over a scandal and didn’t seek re-election. Since then, the CPC has held the riding with Warren Steinley.
Regina—Lewvan encompasses the western side of Regina, with neighbourhoods like Harbour Landing, Sherwood-McCarthy, Fairways West, and more included.
The federal riding includes important areas like the Regina airport, RCMP division and more.
Regina—Levwan is one of three ridings in the capital city. Major issues in Regina-Lewvan include addressing crime, addictions issues such as fentanyl, and the houselessness crisis in the city. Affordability is a particular concern with residents feeling the pinch for grocery and gas prices, and rents and home prices are generally higher than the rest of the province.
The city's residents are also concerned about the tariff issue and the potential impacts on local industries such as Evraz Steel.
The federal election gets underway on April 28th.
-With information from John Cairns.
