Michelle Courchesne, the mother of two children, is a sociologist and urban planner by profession. During her career, she has been Executive Vice-President, Marketing and Communications for Cognicase (2001-2003), General Manager of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra (1995-2000), Quebec Deputy Minister of Culture and Communications (1988-1995), Assistant to the Vice-President at Lévesque Beaubien Geoffrion (1985-1988) and Laval city councillor and executive committee member (1981-1985).

Michelle Courchesne has been a member of various boards of directors, including those of the National Bank of Canada, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, the National Theatre School of Canada, Tourism Montreal and the Quebec Mental Illness Foundation. First elected MNA for the riding of Fabre in April 2003, she was Minister of Relations with the Citizens and Immigration from April 29, 2003 to April 18, 2005, when she was Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity. Re-elected in 2007, she became Minister of Education, Recreation, Sports and Minister of Families. Re-elected again in December 2008, she returned as Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports. She has also been Minister responsible for the Laval region since 2003. In September 2009, she was named Minister responsible for the Laurentides and Lanaudière regions. Since August 2010, Michelle Courchesne is the Chair of the Conseil du trésor and Minister responsible for Government Administration, in addition to her role as Minister of Government Services.