He was a Member of Parliament (MP) from 1979 to 2004, who represented suburban Vancouver-area constituencies of Burnaby for the New Democratic Party (NDP).

In the 2019 Canadian federal election, Robinson was the NDP candidate for the riding of Burnaby North-Seymour, but lost to the Liberal incumbent Terry Beech by 1,560 votes.

[2] He was called to the British Columbia Bar as a barrister and solicitor in 1978, and practised law with Robert Gardner and Associates until his election to the House of Commons in May 1979.

Robinson is known for his negative views on American foreign policy, especially towards Cuba, his challenge of corporate power, his criticism of Israel, and his strong support for Palestinian leaders.

Party leader McDonough briefly removed Robinson's portfolio over Middle East issues in 2002 for comments he made criticizing the Israeli government for alleged war crimes in Jenin.

[4] One of his earliest political activities was leading a group of NDP MPs who heckled former US President Ronald Reagan while he was speaking at the House of Commons in support of the Strategic Defense Initiative and aid to the Contras.

[12] Robinson was subsequently diagnosed with cyclothymia, a form of bipolar disorder, and began to speak as an activist on mental health issues.

[13][14] Robinson attempted a comeback and ran as an NDP candidate in the 2006 federal election, challenging Liberal MP Hedy Fry in the riding of Vancouver Centre.

In the 2019 Canadian General Election Robinson was nominated as the NDP candidate in Burnaby North—Seymour, where he faced Liberal incumbent Terry Beech and lost by 1,560 votes.

Since leaving politics, Robinson was employed by the British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union as an arbitrator and advocate.

Robinson took a position in 2007 with the global trade union federation Public Services International in Switzerland,[15] where he moved with his partner Max Riveron.

[17] Svend Robinson: A Life in Politics, written by Graeme Truelove, was released on October 17, 2013, by New Star Books.

[21] In the book, Truelove argues that Robinson was the single most influential Member of Parliament in Canadian history never to have served in the Cabinet of Canada.