He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1909 until 1923 sitting with the provincial Liberal Party in both government and opposition.

Côté was a surveyor and civil engineer by trade, and first visited the Edmonton area in 1886 as part of a survey crew.

Côté ran for re-election in the new electoral district of Grouard for the election held that year.

Côté was appointed to the Senate of Canada on the advice of Mackenzie King on August 14, 1923 to represent Alberta.

Jean Côté married Cécile Gagnon, who came from a wealthy Quebec City family, on February 4, 1907, and together had four children.

[7] Mount Côté located along the Alberta-British Columbia border, and the Hamlet of Jean Cote, Alberta in the Municipal District of Smoky River No.