He was a Liberal member of the Senate of Canada for De Lorimier division from 1867 to 1883.

He was born in Trois-Rivières, Lower Canada, in 1820 and studied there and at the Séminaire de Nicolet.

In 1854, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada for Napierville; he was re-elected in 1858 and 1861.

Bureau was active in promoting the abolition of seigneurial tenure in Canada East.

He was named provincial secretary in 1863, a cabinet post; as a result, he had to run again (successfully) for his seat in the legislative council.