He was first elected Member of Parliament in March 1996, representing the Montreal area riding of Papineau-Saint-Michel. He was re-elected in 1997 and 2000, representing the new riding of Papineau-Saint-Denis. In 1996 he became Minister for International Cooperation and Minister responsible for La Francophonie.
As Minister for International Trade, he was heavily embroiled in the US - Canada softwood lumber dispute. He was appointed Minister of Health by newly-appointed Prime Minister Paul Martin Jr