High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Irwin Cotler, PC, OC, MP (born May 8, 1940) was Canada`s Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada from 2003 until the Liberal government of Paul Martin lost power following the 2006 federal election. He was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons for the constituency of Mount Royal in a by-election in November 1999, winning over 91% of votes cast. He was sworn into Cabinet on December 12, 2003.