Charbonneau first entered politics in 1976 when he was elected in Vercheres and the Parti Québécois, led by René Lévesque defeated Robert Bourassa's Liberals during that election.
Charbonneau made his entry into politics in 1976 when he was elected in Vercheres and the Parti Québécois, led by René Lévesque, emerged victorious against Robert Bourassa's Liberals in that same year's electoral contest.