Senator Patrick Brazeau collapses in chamber during debate on major projects bill

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. Speaker Raymonde Gagné suspended proceedings for roughly half an hour.

Paramedics entered the Senate chamber as many senators momentarily left, and Gagné thanked officials and colleagues for responding quickly after reconvening the session.

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.

The Liberals and Conservatives fast-tracked the bill through the House of Commons and it went through a rare pre-study by the Senate.

— With files from Kyle Duggan and Alessia Passafiume

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

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press