Before he entered politics in 1963, Chrétien had been a lawyer. He was appointed to nine successive cabinet posts, including Minister of Finance (1977–79), being the first French-Canadian to hold that post. As Minister of Justice (1980–82) he handled negotiations with Britain over revising Canada’s constitution. In 1984 Chrétien became Deputy Prime Minister but resigned in 1986, returning to his law practice. In 1990 he resumed his political career and was elected leader of the Liberal Party; he served as Prime Minister from 1993–2003.