# Richard Cashin
Who / What
Richard Joseph Cashin is a Canadian lawyer, former politician, and trade union leader. As part of a historically influential Newfoundland political family, he played a significant role in early 20th-century Canadian politics before transitioning into labor advocacy.
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Background & History
Richard Cashin was born on **5 January 1937** to prominent figures in Newfoundland’s political landscape. His grandfather, Sir Michael Cashin (KBE), and his uncle, Peter Cashin, were key political leaders, shaping the region’s early governance. Cashin began his public career as a Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) for St. John’s South—St. Barbe in the **1962 general election**, marking his entry into national politics during Canada’s post-war expansion.
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Why Notable
Cashin’s political legacy stems from his early representation of Newfoundland’s interests in Ottawa, contributing to debates on federal-provincial relations and economic development. His transition into trade union leadership reflects a broader shift among prominent politicians toward labor advocacy, aligning with the growing influence of organized workers in Canadian politics. Though his later career focused more on activism than electoral office, his family name remains synonymous with Newfoundland’s political history.
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In the News
While Richard Cashin is not widely covered in contemporary media, his family’s ongoing relevance to Newfoundland’s political discourse—particularly through descendants like former Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador Joe Saxton (a distant relative)—continues to draw occasional attention. His early career as a Liberal MP remains a point of historical interest for scholars studying Canada’s early federal elections.
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Key Facts
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