Yikes! Patrick Brazeau faints in the Senate

It appears that Former Conservative Senator Patrick Brazeau fainted in the Senate today as he rose to debate Prime Minister Mark Carney’s fast-tracked major projects bill.

It’s been a scorcher of a week in Ontario with temperatures with “dangerously hot” weather in Ottawa peaking at 35°C on Monday.

The bill being debated in the Senate grants the Carney government powers to accelerate project approvals and has been criticized by Indigenous and environmental groups for bypassing proper consultation and democratic process.

Brazeau, an indigenous Senator, was rising to ask a question to Conservative Senate leader Leo Housakos. Indigenous groups are concerned the Carney bill doesn’t mention “free, prior and informed consent.” Paramedics attended to Brazeau who was reportedly conscious. Staff say he appears to be recovering.

Patrick Brazeau was originally appointed to the Senate of Canada in 2008 by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. He was born in Maniwaki, Quebec. Brazeau is a member of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation and became one of the youngest senators in Canadian history. Before his appointment, he served as the National Chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, advocating for the rights of off-reserve Indigenous peoples. He’s been an outspoken and polarizing figure on Parliament Hill and has often clashed with other Indigenous leaders. He famously participated in a charity boxing match with then-future Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – which was broadcast on Sun News.

Brazeau’s political career has seen its share of controversy. In 2013, he was suspended from the Senate without pay over a housing expense scandal and later faced charges in unrelated matters in Gatineau, Quebec. The scandals significantly impacted his public image.

Patrick Brazeau now sits in the Senate as a non-affiliated member and advocates for Indigenous issues, alcohol addiction awareness, and mental health.

UPDATE: He’s doing better.

Patrick Brazeau gets a haircut from Justin Trudeau
Patrick Brazeau gets a haircut from Justin Trudeau

New Government leader in the Senate to be an elected one?

Earlier this month, Mulroney appointee and Harper lieutenant Marjorie LeBreton announced her retirement as Government leader in the Senate. LeBreton, who is 73, will retire from the Senate in two years.

LeBreton has held the government’s line in the Senate through its problems this year; Senator Brazeau is up on sexual assault charges, while he and three other Senators are facing RCMP investigation over allowance expense irregularities.

A government official speaking about LeBreton’s retirement said, “A fully elected cabinet is an important thing right now”. This was taken by most of Ottawa to mean a deprioritization of the Senate as an institution in the executive branch of government.

However, it could also slyly mean that the Prime Minister will appoint an elected Senator to cabinet to be the government’s voice in the Upper Chamber.

Candidates for this position in cabinet include:

  • Scott Tannas
  • Betty Unger
  • Doug Black

Patrick Brazeau is removed from the Conservative caucus

Prime Minister Stephen Harper removed Senator Patrick Brazeau from caucus today after the Senator was taken into Gatineau police custody this morning just after 9am, according to reports.

CTV’s Robert Fife broke the news after an internal memo was circulated by Senator Marjorie LeBreton, the Leader of the Government in the Senate.

Politically, Brazeau faces questions regarding his housing allowance and primary residence in Quebec. In what seems to be an unrelated matter, he has now run aground with what appears to be a new set of personal issues.

Statement

 

Date: February 7, 2013

For immediate release

 

STATEMENT BY THE HONOURABLE MARJORY LEBRETON, P.C. ON SENATOR BRAZEAU

‪

Minister LeBreton today issued the following statement in regards to Senator Brazeau:

 

“In light of the serious nature of the events reported today, Senator Brazeau has been removed from the Conservative Caucus. As this is a legal matter, I cannot comment further.”

 

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Déclaration

 

Date : le 7 février 2013

Publication immédiate

 

DÉCLARATION DE L’HONORABLE MARJORY LEBRETON, C.P. AU SUJET DU SÉNATEUR BRAZEAU

 

La ministre LeBreton a publiĂ© la dĂ©claration suivante aujourd’hui au sujet du sĂ©nateur Brazeau:

 

“Étant donnĂ© la gravitĂ© des Ă©vĂ©nements rendus publics aujourd’hui, le sĂ©nateur Brazeau ne fait plus partie du Caucus conservateur. Comme il s’agit d’une question lĂ©gale, je ne peux commenter davantage.”

 

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