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Early Beginnings and Educational Achievements

Mario Dumont was born on May 19, 1970, in Cacouna, Quebec. In 1993, he earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Concordia University in Montreal.

Political Life

Dumont first entered politics in 1986 as a member of the youth commission of the Quebec Liberal Party (QLP), and in 1988 he was elected to the Party’s Executive of the Youth Commission. In 1991, he became chair of the Youth Commission. In the 1992 referendum on the Charlottetown Accord, Dumont campaigned against the accord as co-chair of the Network of Liberals Voting NO.

In 1994, following a split with QLP leadership on the Charlottetown Accord issue, Dumont left the Liberal Party and helped found the Action Démocratique du Québec (ADQ). He became leader of the ADQ in April 1994. In the September 1994 general election, Dumont was elected MNA for the riding of Rivière-du-Loup. During the 1995 Referendum Campaign in Quebec, Dumont campaigned for the “Yes” side after signing the 1995 Tripartite Agreement on Sovereignty with Quebec Premier Jacques Parizeau and Bloc Québécois leader Lucien Bouchard.

Dumont led the ADQ to a major breakthrough in the 2007 provincial election. With five seats prior to dissolution, the ADQ received 31 percent of the popular vote and 41 seats in the 2007 election. Following the election, he became leader of the opposition in Quebec’s National Assembly.

Personal and Community Life

Mario Dumont is married to Marie-Claude Barrette, and they have three children: Angela, Charles, and Juliette.