A geomorphologist by profession, Mr. Germain also holds a Master’s Degree in Water Science from the Institut national de la recherche scientifique. He worked for the Ministère des Transports in 1985 and for the Ministère de l’Environnement from 1987 to 1990. Afterwards, he served as Environmental Director with an engineering consultant firm. As a self-employed environmental consultant, Mr. Germain took part in the preparation of impact studies and environmental assessment.

A full-time member of the BAPE since June 2004, Mr. Germain also held this position from August 2002 to May 2004 and was a part-time member from August 2002 to May 2004. Mr. Germain has chaired twenty five public inquiry commissions and served as a commissioner on fourteen occasions of which five inquiry and mediation mandates.