First elected to the Legislative Assembly in the provincial election of September 24, 2018, to represent the riding of Shippagan-Lamèque-Miscou and reelected to the assembly in the riding of Shediac Bay Dieppe in 2020 and in 2024. 

 He was appointed minister of Public Safety, and Minister responsible for la Francophonie on November 2, 2024. 

Mr. Gauvin has worked in the theatre for over 25 years, including at Le Pays de la Sagouine, Le Théâtre populaire d’Acadie, and Le Théâtre l’Escaouette. An author, director, humorist, and actor, he has written over 50 plays and has written for television and acted in television series and in films. Mr. Gauvin has won several national and provincial awards, including the Masque award for the best production outside Quebec in 2003 for the play Univers. 

He has also taught drama and been involved in educational activities with Acadian youth throughout his career. From 2016 to 2018 he was responsible for economic development at Le Pays de la Sagouine. 

He is an ambassador of Acadian culture across Canada and an ardent defender of Francophones’ rights. 

The son of former MLA and minister Jean Gauvin, Robert was born in Caraquet in 1968 and grew up in Shippagan. In 2006, he married Émilie LaBranche, with whom he has two children, Charles and Alice.