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The Honourable Martin Cauchon is a partner in Gowlings' Montréal offce and the national leader of the Firm's China Group.
Martin was first elected to political office in October 1993 in the federal riding of Outremont, Québec. Throughout his distinguished political career, he has held many pivotal cabinet positions, including Secretary of State (Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Québec) from January 1996 to January 2002, Minister of National Revenue from August 1999 to January 2002, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada from January 2002 to December 2003, as well as Minister with political responsibility for Québec during that same period.
In addition, Martin served as a member of various cabinet committees: the committees on Economic Union and Social Union, as well as an Ad Hoc Committee for Public Security and Anti-Terrorism. In 1994, he was vice-chairman of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, as well as president of the Canada-France Inter-Parliamentary Association from 1994 to 1995. From 1993 to 1995, Martin served as President of the Liberal Party of Canada (Québec).
As Secretary of State (Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Québec), Martin worked extensively with the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and various economic development stakeholders in the province of Québec in order to help them face the challenges of a knowledge-based economy and of the global marketplace.
As Minister of National Revenue, Martin was also responsible for Customs Canada. During his tenure, he contributed to the transformation of the Ministry into the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, improved the management of research and development tax credits and tabled legislation to modernize Canada's customs. This legislation streamlined the customs process and provided for better risk management and assessment in a world where the population and the volume of goods crossing borders is constantly increasing, especially between Canada and the United States.
While serving as Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Martin was very active in matters concerning human rights issues. As well, he introduced legislation to modernize the law on corporate liability and to tackle the problem of capital market fraud.
Prior to his political career, he practiced civil and commercial litigation from 1985 to 1993. In 1991, Martin completed a Master of Law in International Business Legal Studies at the University of Exeter, in England. He is a member of numerous boards of directors.
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