As the youngest Member of Parliament and was asked by Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier to second the motion on the Speech from the Throne.
He was re-elected in 1908 but defeated in the 1911.Out of office, Parent returned to his legal practice and pursued various business interests.
He ultimately became president of Citadel Brick Ltd., Equitable Enterprises and of Wolfesfield Ltd., Vice-President of Donnacona Paper Company and was a director of several other firms including the publisher of Le Soleil newspaper.Parent returned to Parliament in the 1917 federal election as a Laurier-Liberal representing Quebec West.
He remained an MP until June 3, 1930 when he was appointed to the Senate of Canada by Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King prior to the 1930 federal election.In 1940, King named him Speaker of the Senate on May 9, 1940.