Furlong set up practice in Dalhousie, New Brunswick. From 1985 to 1986, he was president of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick and, from 1988 to 1989, he was president of the New Brunswick Medical Society. He served as Minister of Health and Community Services from 1999 to 2000, Minister of Health and Wellness from 2000 to 2001 and Minister of Education from 2001 to 2003. In November 2005, Furlong took over as head of the inquiry into the use of Agent Orange at CFB Gagetown after the resignation of Vaughn Blaney.[4] He was named as the chair of the New Brunswick Trauma System Advisory Committee in October 2007.[5]