[1] It is noteworthy as the location of a famous by-election in 1982, when the separatist Western Canada Concept achieved the first and only electoral victory in the movement's history.

Incumbent MLA for Didsbury Robert Clark ran in the new riding for Social Credit, and was easily re-elected.

In the 1971 election, when Peter Lougheed's Progressive Conservatives swept Social Credit out of power, Clark retained Olds-Didsbury by a wide margin.

[2][3] The premier called a snap election for later that year to ensure a quick showdown with Western Canada Concept.

Progressive Conservative candidate Roy Brassard easily defended Olds-Didsbury for his party, serving three terms.