He was also the director of the CRD of Baie-James and a commissioner at the Baie James School Board.
Ferland was elected in Ungava in the 2007 elections succeeding Letourneau who was also representing the northern Quebec riding.
He was named the PQ critic for northern development and aboriginal affairs.
Ferland ran unsuccessfully for the Bloc Quebecois in the riding of Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou in the federal election of 2015.