Senator Patrick Brazeau collapses in chamber, staff say he appears to be recovering

By Canadian Press on June 25, 2025.

OTTAWA — Senate debate on the federal government’s major projects bill was briefly suspended after a senator collapsed on the floor of the chamber.

Sen. Patrick Brazeau rose to speak before collapsing sideways onto the floor, though a Senate spokesman said that he appears to be recovering follow an examination by paramedics.

Speaker Raymonde Gagné suspended proceedings for roughly half an hour, and many senators left the chamber until she reconvened the debate, and thanked security officials and colleagues for responding quickly.

The Canadian Press has reached out to Brazeau’s office for comment.

The Quebec senator was speaking about Bill C-5, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s controversial legislation that would grant Ottawa sweeping new powers to fast-track project permits amid a trade war with the U.S.

The politically charged legislation has angered Indigenous and environmental groups who argue the legislation does not adequately respect charter rights and should not be fast-tracked through Parliament.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 25, 2025.

Alessia Passafiume and Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press