(OTTAWA) – On the 5th anniversary of her first election to Parliament, Elizabeth May welcomes a former parliamentary colleague to the Green Party of Canada. The Green Party of Canada is pleased to announce the appointment of Jean Rousseau as the newest member of its Shadow Cabinet.
Mr. Rousseau will assume the role of critic for Agriculture – East effective immediately. Most recently, Mr. Rousseau was MP for Compton-Stanstead (2011-2015), and formerly a member of the New Democratic Party.
“Jean’s parliamentary experience, dedicated community outreach in Compton-Stanstead, and deep roots in Quebec are welcome strengths in the Green Party of Canada,” Ms. May said. “Many supporters of other political parties are seeing that the values and policies they hold dearest – on the environment, healthcare, social services, foreign policy and trade – are in the DNA of the Green Party of Canada.”
“While other parties pursue their pipedreams on pipelines, the Green Party embraces a 21st century economy fueled by renewable energy, one that will bring high-paying, secure jobs to all corners of our great country,” Ms. May said. “We welcome Jean Rousseau in the fight for a better Canada.”
“It is with enthusiasm and great pleasure that I join Ms. May’s growing team at the Green Party of Canada. The decision to become a member of the party and contribute to making our country more environmentally conscious is, for me, an important source of motivation as a staunch environmentalist, Mr. Rousseau said.
"Jean brings to the Green party some real political experience. As a fellow québécois, I look forward to working with Jean on issues in Québec that will help the party to grow in the province," said Daniel Green deputy leader of the Green Party of Canada.
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For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Daniel Palmer
Press Secretary | Attaché de presse
Green Party of Canada | Parti vert du Canada
[email protected]
(613) 614-4916
Background on Jean Rousseau:
Born in Asbestos in a working class family in 1961, Jean is the son of Marielle Morel and Gérard Rousseau. He spent most of his childhood in Asbestos and his teen years in Windsor, QC. After finishing high school, he tried his hand in show business as a musician and a technician for about 20 years.
Following a number of jobs in the manufacturing sector, Jean went back to school and completed a BA in Industrial Relations at Laval University in 2006. He also studied Administration and Economics.
Over the following years, he was successively:
- Technical Director of the Arts Centre in Richmond, QC
- Project Leader in the MRC du Val St-François;
- Office Agent at the University of Sherbrooke;
- Human Resources Advisor with T.I.S. personnel placement in Montréal.
In 2011, Jean was elected to the House of Commons for the County of Compton-Stanstead. He was appointed Deputy Economic Development Critic for the Regions of Quebec. He sat on the Standing Committee on Agriculture and also on the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security.
He is a member of the Lions Club of Coaticook, of the Ordre Écologique de St-François d’Assise and a supporting member of the A.N.A.F. Association, Unit 318 (Army, Navy, Air Force) in Lennoxville.
In his spare time, he is a volunteer minor hockey league coach in Sherbrooke. He loves skiing and Rock music. He has been a musician and a singer songwriter for close to 40 years.
Jean is the husband of Cynthia Rodrigue with whom he has two daughters: Katsumi, born in 2012, and Skye Isabella, born in 2015. Anne Rousseau, 21, James Dupont, 12, and Thomas Dupont, 18, complete the family portrait.