Dennis Dawson first studied political science at Laval University and the University of Ottawa where he received a Bachelor’s degree. He later graduated from Laval University with a Master's in Business Administration. He began his career in public life as one of the youngest elected school board trustees in Québec, and was elected as Chairman of Québec's second largest School Board. In 1977, Dennis Dawson was elected as one of the youngest Members of Parliament in Canadian history where he served his constituents of Louis-Hébert for three consecutive terms. He also chaired the Québec caucus after working as Parliamentary Secretary for Employment and Immigration as well as Labour. He later ran the Québec operation of one of Canada's leading government relations firms. As an executive for Hill and Knowlton, he managed governmental relations for clients and developed public affairs strategies. Dennis Dawson has also appeared regularly as a political commentator on national television. He is married and has three children. He will be sitting in the Senate as a member of the Liberal Party of Canada.