The 2023 redistribution order removed most of the territory outside of the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District from the riding, reducing its population considerably.

Languages: 64.6% English, 21.3% Cree, 10.8% Dene, 1.3% French Religions: 76.8% Christian (41.5% Catholic, 18.5% Anglican, 4.1% United Church, 2.5% Lutheran, 1.6% Pentecostal, 8.5% Other), 2.7% Traditional Aboriginal Spirituality, 20.4% No religion Median income (2010): $18,910 Average income (2010): $28,554 Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River boasts the following demographic records: The electoral district was created as "Churchill River" in 1996 from Prince Albert—Churchill River, Mackenzie and The Battlefords—Meadow Lake ridings.

In the 2006 federal election, Liberal candidate Gary Merasty defeated incumbent Conservative MP Jeremy Harrison by a slim margin of 68 votes after trailing much of the election night, despite Harrison's vote increasing several points.

Merasty's win raised issues of questionable tactics to increase voter turnout.

[11] However, an investigation conducted by Elections Canada determined that no wrongdoing had taken place.