Vanier has long been home to much of Ottawa's francophone population, a group that has traditionally been solidly Liberal.

The riding also contains the wealthiest part of Ottawa, the former village Rockcliffe Park, which has supported both the Conservatives, and the Liberals in recent elections.

The anglophone middle class neighbourhoods of Sandy Hill, containing the University of Ottawa, and New Edinburgh also tend to vote Liberal, but with significant support for the New Democratic Party.

According to the 2021 Canadian census[3] Ethnic groups: 60.2% White, 14.5% Black, 5.5% Indigenous, 5.2% Arab, 3.6% South Asian, 2.8% Chinese, 1.9% Latin American, 1.6% Filipino, 1.5% West Asian Languages: 47.1% English, 23.5% French, 4.2% Arabic, 1.9% Spanish, 1.3% Mandarin Religions: 53.8% Christian (33.5% Catholic, 3.1% Anglican, 2.0% United Church, 1.8% Christian Orthodox, 1.1% Pentecostal, 12.3% Other), 9.5% Muslim, 32.8% None Median income: $42,400 (2020) Average income: $57,600 (2020) The federal riding was created as "Ottawa East" in 1933 from parts of Ottawa and Russell ridings.

Following the Canadian federal electoral redistribution, 2012, the riding gained the neighbourhood of Beacon Hill South from Ottawa—Orléans.

Following the 2022 Canadian federal electoral redistribution, this riding will be renamed Ottawa—Vanier—Gloucester at the first election held after approximately April 2024.