Dauphin went to Université Laval and obtained a bachelor's degree in law and also attended the University of British Columbia before being admitted to the Barreau du Quebec.

He later worked in the office of former Canadian Federal Finance Minister Paul Martin.

[citation needed] He sat on the Executive Committee of the Montreal municipal council with the rank of vice-president and responsibility for public security.

In 2008, he was named by Mayor Gérald Tremblay, as the Chairperson of the City of Montreal's Executive Committee, replacing Frank Zampino.

[3] Dauphin was elected president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in June 2013.