[1] Born in Drummondville, Quebec, he was the son of Émile Joyal, farmer, and Philomène Caron.

He was on the municipal board of the parish of Saint-Antoine de Longueuil from 1923 to 1930.

Joyal won his seat in the 1939 for the Quebec Liberal Party, and was re-elected in 1944, but defeated in 1948.

He died in Montreal aged 63 years 8 months, and is buried in the cemetery of Saint Lambert The first part of his first name is given in various sources as either Dowina[1] or Dorvina.

[2] Another source[3] says that even Dorina, Donina et Domina were sometimes seen, and that his election posters merely said D.-E. Joyal.