In addition to acting, Dhavernas has done French-language voice dubbing, attaining some fame as the voice of Roger Rabbit in the French-language version of the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit.[2] In 1989, he urged the government of Canada to pass legislation requiring that the majority of French-dubbed television programs in Quebec actually be dubbed in the province, rather than in France.[3] He was later described as being responsible for overseeing dubbing issues in Quebec's Union des artistes.[4] Dhavernas has also acted in theatre, including in a Quebec production of Les Misérables,[2] and has served as president of the Canadian Artists and Producers Professional Relations Tribunal (CAPPRT).[5]
Dhavernas ran for the Liberal Party of Canada in the Montreal riding of Outremont in the 2008 federal election, campaigning against cuts to arts funding that had been introduced by the Conservative government of Stephen Harper.[6] He made his decision to run only days before the election.[7] Ultimately, he finished second against New Democratic Party incumbent and future party leader Thomas Mulcair. Following the election, Dhavernas was appointed to a Liberal Party political commission headed by Serge Joyal.[5] Dhavernas intended to run for the Liberal nomination in Outremont again in the buildup to the 2011 election, but he was advised that the seat would be reserved for a star candidate.[8]
^ abVirginia M. Citrano, "Theater: One Cast, Two Languages," Wall Street Journal, 19 April 1991, A13.
^"Actors demand dubbed TV be done in Quebec French," Toronto Star, 3 March 1989, D18.
^Allan Woods, "Quebec actors voice fears over shrinking dubbing industry," Toronto Star, 12 December 2014.
^ ab"The Liberal Party of Canada (Quebec) appoints a new Vice president for Quebec West and a new member within the Political Commission," Canada NewsWire, 12 December 2008.
^Philip Authier, "Waiting for stars to rise - or fall," Montreal Gazette, 9 September 2008, A1.
^"Liberals gain ground in Montreal," Montreal Gazette, 15 October 2008, B3.
^Andre Picard, "Liberal heavyweights square off over Outremont," Globe and Mail, 21 September 2009, A4.
^Jeff Heinrich, "Bloggers paid with a platform; Arianna Huffington launches her Quebec website with a defence of 'self-expression, when you want, if you want'," Montreal Gazette, 2 February 2012, C5.