He was born in 1941 in Montreal and grew up in the Mauricie area. He attended Séminaire Sainte-Marie and obtained an Education Degree from Université Laval. Prior to entering politics, Jolivet was a teacher and a union activist.
Robert Bourassa's Liberals won the 1985 and 1989 elections by substantial margins. During that time, Jolivet remained the only PQ member to represent a district from the Mauricie area.
Jolivet was sent back to the legislature in the 1994 election with a majority of his PQ colleagues. He served as his party's House Whip from 1994 to 1997. Jolivet also served as House Leader, and as Minister for Electoral Reform, Regional Development and Forestry from 1997 to the 1998 election.
He was re-elected in 1998 and became Minister of Regions.
In March 2001 Jolivet retired from politics, after twenty-five years of service. Liberal Julie Boulet succeeded him as Member of the National Assembly.
