Until the 1960s, elections in The Pas were deferred until a few weeks after the rest of the province for logistical reasons.

It was not unheard of for politicians from the south of the province to run in The Pas after being chosen as cabinet ministers by newly elected provincial governments; Edward Brown and John Bracken were both elected in this manner.

Located in the north of the province, The Pas was bordered by the riding of Rupertsland to the east and south, Thompson and Flin Flon to the north, Swan River and Lake Winnipeg to the south, and the province of Saskatchewan to the west.

Whitehead had previously won a by-election on March 24, 2009, following Oscar Lathlin's death.

Sixty-seven per cent of the riding's residents are aboriginal, the second-highest rate in the province.