Yolande James was born in Montreal on November 21, 1977. Her parents, Frank and Tomacuita James, immigrants from Ste-Lucie and St-Vincent, gave Yolande and her elder sister Francine a bilingual and bicultural education. She received a B.A. in civil law from the University of Montreal in 2000.  Awarded the Senator Frank Carrel Scholarship, she received a common law B.A. from Queen’s University.  In 2004, she became a member of the Montreal Bar and, after five years as political attaché for the Nelligan MNA, joins the cabinet staff of the Minister of Health and Social Services.

Mrs. James became involved in politics and community affairs before she was old enough to vote.  As a student, she took part in the elaboration of a study program for youth at risk in the West Island, she volunteered at Saint-Barnabas church and was a member of the Black History Month organizing committee at University of Montreal.  A good student with a big hearth and contagious enthusiasm, he growing interest for public affairs led her naturally to the start of political career.

First elected MNA for Nelligan in a 2004 by-election, she served as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Immigration and Cultural Communities. On April 18, 2007, soon after her re-election in Nelligan, she was named Minister of Immigration and Cultural Communities. In May 2010, she was named Minister of Families.