Jean Fortin graduated from Laval University in 1971 through the Canadian Officer Training Corps. Throughout his career he always undertook the challenges to develop and operate coal and iron ore operations and projects in difficult environments.

He served as production and general service manager with Hewitt Equipment. He then joined Met-Chem Canada as technical manager for a coal mine development in India.

In 1997, he returned to Quebec Cartier Mining (now ArcelorMittal) as general manager of Mount Wright Mine.

In 2008 ArcelorMittal (AM) assigned him to AM-Liberia. He later became CEO of AM­TEBESSA Mines in Algeria.

In 2012 he returned as head operations readiness for AM-Liberia and AM­Mines Canada for the Mount Wright expansion to 24 mtpy.

He is a member of the Quebec Order of Engineers and a Life Member of CIM. He retired in 2015.