After obtaining her Master's degree of anthropology at the University of Alberta, Boutin-Sweet participated in various archeological digs in Canada and the United States.
[3] Co-founder and treasurer of the museum’s employees union, which is affiliated with the Centrale des syndicats démocratiques (CSD), she was a member of the pay equity and bargaining committees.
With the CSD, she sat on the committee on the status of women and served as trainer, auditor and vice-president, trade and services.
[2] In 2011, she decided to put her name forward as a candidate for the New Democratic Party in the federal district of Hochelaga.
On 12 November 2015, she was named Chief Whip for the NDP, as well as being asked to continue her role as Housing Critic.