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Jonathan Genest-Jourdain
Member of Parliament
for Manicouagan
In office
May 2, 2011 – October 19, 2015
Preceded by Gérard Asselin
Succeeded by Marilène Gill
Personal details
Born (1979-07-16) July 16, 1979 (age 44)
Uashat-Maliotenam, Quebec
Political party New Democratic Party
Residences Sept-Îles, Quebec
Alma mater Université Laval
Profession Lawyer

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).

Career

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.

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. 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.

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

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.

Election record

Canadian federal election, 2015: 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
Canadian federal election, 2011
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 1,881 5.6% -9.7%
Green Jacques Gélineau 898 2.67% -0.93%
Total valid votes/Expense limit 33,592 100.0%
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