born in havre-aux-maisons, quebec, arseneau went at the université de montréal and obtained a bachelor's degree in history and later received a certificate in science education at the université du québec à montréal in 1979. he then became a history and economics teacher for nearly 15 years. he was later an assistant director in the department of continuing education at the cégep de la gaspésie et des îles for 10 years.