a farmer and fisherman in miminegash, prince edward island, pineau was elected to the legislature in a by-election in 1899, after the election of meddie gallant in an 1898 by-election was overturned by the courts. however, he was rarely actually present in the legislature until the confidence crisis of early 1900, when the government of donald farquharson was threatened by mla joseph wise's attempt to withdraw his earlier resignation; wise attempted to vote with the conservatives, which would have brought down the government, but his vote was disqualified by speaker james cummiskey. pineau then crossed the floor to the liberals, ensuring the government's survival on the vote.