[2] The change in name and boundaries took effect at the drop of the writ for the 2012 Alberta general election.

The election held that year saw incumbent Progressive Conservative Cabinet Minister Mike Cardinal who previously represented the Athabasca-Wabasca electoral district win here.

He defeated five other candidates with just under half the popular vote to pick up the new district for his party.

Cardinal kept his spot in cabinet and was shuffled to the Human Resources and Employment portfolio by Premier Ralph Klein.

The vote was designed to educate students and simulate the electoral process for persons who had not yet reached the legal majority.