Normandeau attended the Université Laval in the early 1990s and obtained a bachelor's degree in political science and a certificate in African studies.

Following a cabinet shuffle in 2005, she was promoted to the position of Municipal Affairs replacing Jean-Marc Fournier who became the Education Minister.

On April 23, 2009, Normandeau admitted to dating François Bonnardel, a member of the opposition Action démocratique du Québec (ADQ) caucus.

[2] On September 6, 2011, she announced her resignation as minister and member of the National Assembly, citing personal reasons.

[3][4] In April 2012, Normandeau was the subject of a Radio-Canada report over alleged ties to a construction industry executive while a cabinet minister.