Downes, 48, has been a teacher and vice-principal at several Kingston elementary and secondary schools. He was a three-term Kingston city councillor, a former mayoral candidate and school board trustee, and former member of the Children's Aid Society.
Downes has a Canadian Studies degree from the University of Toronto and master's and education degrees from Queen's University. He was a reservist with the 48th Highlanders in Toronto and initially came to Kingston to work summers at Old Forth Henry.
He and wife Sylvie have three children and live in Kingston.
