He was born in Shippagan, New Brunswick, and received a teaching certificate from the Moncton Technical Institute.
In 1990, he resigned his seat in order to allow newly elected Liberal leader Jean Chrétien to enter the House of Commons through a by-election.
Robichaud served as Special Assistant to the Leader of the Opposition until returning to the House in the 1993 election.
With the election of Chrétien as Prime Minister, Robichaud became Secretary of State for Parliamentary Affairs.
Robichaud did not run in the 1997 election and was appointed on Chrétien's recommendation to the Senate of Canada on September 23, 1997.