Normandeau attended the
Université Laval in the early 1990s and obtained a
bachelor's degree in
political science and a certificate in
African studies. While at university, she worked in the Quebec Premier's Office as a public relations officer and a
secretary. She was elected
mayor of the small Gaspésie town of Maria where she grew up, and held office from 1992 to 1995. She actively participated as a member of several local groups in the region. Normandeau entered provincial politics in
1998 and was elected as the MNA for Bonaventure. She became the opposition critic for
natural resources,
fisheries and
regions. In
2003, when
Jean Charest's Liberals defeated the
Parti Québécois, Normandeau was re-elected for a second term and was named the
Minister for
regional development and tourism as well as the Minister responsible for the
Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine region. Following a
cabinet shuffle in 2005, she was promoted to the position of Municipal Affairs replacing
Jean-Marc Fournier who became the Education Minister. She was re-elected in
2007 to become the new Deputy Premier and one of the prominent forces of the new
minority government . She retained her position as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Regions and Minister for her region. On April 23, 2009, Normandeau admitted to dating
François Bonnardel, a member of the opposition
Action démocratique du Québec (ADQ) caucus. Normandeau said Premier Charest was aware of the relationship and had no problem with it. During a cabinet shuffle, Normandeau was named the Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife succeeding
Claude Béchard who was named the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
Laurent Lessard inherited the municipal affairs portfolio. On September 6, 2011, she announced her resignation as minister and member of the National Assembly, citing personal reasons. She has been romantically involved with former Montreal Police Chief Yvan Delorme. ==Corruption arrest==