Jonathan Genest-Jourdain

Jonathan Genest-Jourdain (born July 16, 1979) is a Canadian politician from Quebec. Genest-Jourdain served as the New Democratic Party Member of Parliament for Manicouagan and as a member of the Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet in the 41st Canadian Parliament (2011–2015).

Jonathan Genest-Jourdain
Member of Parliament
for Manicouagan
In office
May 2, 2011 – October 19, 2015
Preceded byGérard Asselin
Succeeded byMarilène Gill
Personal details
Born (1979-07-16) July 16, 1979 (age 44)
Uashat-Maliotenam, Quebec
Political partyNew Democratic Party
Residence(s)Sept-Îles, Quebec
Alma materUniversité Laval
ProfessionLawyer

Career edit

Jonathan Genest-Jourdain entered municipal politics in Sept-Îles, Quebec, in 2009. Through his legal work, Genest-Jourdain has been an ardent activist for Aboriginal, Quebec and Canadian heritage issues.

Genest-Jourdain defeated Bloc Québécois incumbent MP Gérard Asselin at the 2011 Canadian federal election, becoming the first ever NDP member to represent the Manicouagan riding. Along with fellow NDP member Romeo Saganash (who was elected for Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou), Genest-Jourdain was one of two First Nations members currently representing Quebec in the House of Commons of Canada. He was a member of the Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.[1]

A member of the Innu Nation, Genest-Jourdain is a lawyer originally from the reserve village of Uashat-Maliotenam located in the Sept-Rivières Regional County Municipality.[2] Genest-Jourdain obtained a law degree from Université Laval in 2004 and started a graduate certificate in corporate law. He has been a member of the Bar of Quebec since 2007. Genest-Jourdain has devoted himself to the application of professional principles, including social intervention.

Genest-Jourdain supported Outremont MP Tom Mulcair's candidacy for federal leadership of the NDP to succeed the late Jack Layton.[3]

Genest-Jourdain finished third in his own riding of Manicouagan in the 2015 Canadian federal election, with the Bloc's Marilène Gill succeeding him as MP.

Shadow Cabinet edit

Shortly after Genest-Jourdain entered Parliament in May 2011, NDP leader Jack Layton appointed him to the shadow cabinet as Deputy Critic for Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.[4]

Election record edit

2015 Canadian federal election: Manicouagan
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Bloc Québécois Marilène Gill 17,338 41.25 +8.57 $19,611.43
Liberal Mario Tremblay 12,343 29.37 +23.86 $9,363.37
New Democratic Jonathan Genest-Jourdain 7,359 17.51 -30.17 $24,554.75
Conservative Yvon Boudreau 4,317 10.27 -1.36 $16,863.38
Green Nathan Grills 673 1.60 -0.91
Total valid votes/Expense limit 42,030 100.00   $259,798.61
Total rejected ballots 645 1.51
Turnout 75,030 56.88
Eligible voters 75,030
Bloc Québécois gain from New Democratic Swing +19.37
Source: Elections Canada[5][6]
2011 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Jonathan Genest-Jourdain 16,438 48.93% +44.13%
Bloc Québécois Gérard Asselin 10,496 31.25% -18.05%
Conservative Gordon Ferguson 3,879 11.55% -15.45%
Liberal André Forbes[fn 1] 1,881 5.6% -9.7%
Green Jacques Gélineau 898 2.67% -0.93%
Total valid votes/Expense limit 33,592 100.0%

Notes edit

  1. ^ André Forbes was nominated as a Liberal, but lost party support just before the nomination deadline. Instead of resigning, he continued to run as an Independent. He appears on the ballot as a Liberal.[7][8]

References edit

  1. ^ Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development (AANO) (accessed 13 January 2012)
  2. ^ CBC News (April 27, 2011). "Native candidates stir northern voter interest". Retrieved May 3, 2011.
  3. ^ Fitzpatrick, Megan. "Mulcair kicks off NDP leadership bid with 33 MPs", CBC News, October 13, 2011. (accessed 14 January 2012)
  4. ^ Layton unveils shadow economic development team, deputy critics (accessed 13 January 2012)
  5. ^ Elections Canada – Confirmed candidates for Manicouagan, 30 September 2015
  6. ^ Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ Booted Liberal candidate still in the race. TheSpec.com, 11 April 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  8. ^ Controversial Quebec Liberal to remain in race. CBC News, 11 April 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2011.

External links edit