The riding was originally chartered as Victoria District for the special byelections held in 1871 upon the province's entry into Confederation.

Ethnic groups (2006): 85.54% White, 4.05% Chinese, 3.07% Aboriginal, 1.26% South Asian, 1.22% Japanese, 1.15% Filipino, 1.09% Black Languages (2011): 83.93% English, 2.92% Chinese, 1.79% French, 1.40% German Religions (2001): 35.36% Protestant, 15.05% Catholic, 3.94% Other Christian, 1.62% Buddhist, 40.52% No religion Median income (2005): $24,022 It covers the entire city of Victoria, the municipality of Oak Bay and the southeastern portion of the municipality of Saanich.

In 1878, Sir John A. Macdonald was parachuted into the riding, as he was unelectable in eastern Canada, in the wake of the Pacific Scandal.

Macdonald, previously the MP for the Marquette riding in Manitoba, had to run in a by-election as he had been appointed to the cabinet (to serve as prime minister).

Victorians voted for him enthusiastically, as he promised to finally bring about the construction of what became the Canadian Pacific Railway.