The riding consists of the former Townships of Ramsay and Pakenham in the Town of Mississippi Mills, the former Townships of Goulbourn and West Carleton, and the former city of Kanata all in the city of Ottawa.

According to a report of the House of Commons committee that reviewed all new riding boundaries created in that year's redistribution of ridings, "the Township of Mississippi Mills has strenuously protested being placed within Carleton–Lanark.

Over 1,000 residents of the township mailed postcards to the Speaker of the House of Commons protesting the new boundaries.

[3] Gordon O'Connor of the Conservative Party of Canada was the riding's Member of Parliament from 2004 to 2015.

The bulk of the riding—nearly all of the Ottawa portion—became part of Kanata—Carleton, while a smaller portion was transferred to Carleton.