Robert Bourassa was trained as a lawyer but taught and worked in finance, including as a civil servant. He was a Québec Liberal Party member of the l'Assemblée nationale for over 20 years and as leader of the QLP he was Premier ministre du Québec for over 15 in 2 separate terms. His time as leader saw many great events: the October Crisis, the James Bay Hydro project, the 1980 referendum (while not leader), the Meech Lake and Charlottetown Accords and the Oka Crisis. This record makes him one of the most important leaders in Québec history.