He was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1895, and was city attorney of Duluth from 1895 to 1896.

[1] Cant received a recess appointment from President Warren G. Harding on May 21, 1923, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota vacated by Judge Page Morris.

He was nominated to the same position by President Calvin Coolidge on December 15, 1923.

He was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 15, 1924, and received his commission the same day.

His service terminated on January 12, 1933, due to his death.