Independent Senator Patrick Brazeau received medical attention Wednesday afternoon after appearing to faint during a Senate debate on the contentious Bill C-5, leading to a temporary suspension of proceedings. Brazeau was reportedly standing to speak on the bill when he exclaimed “Oh sh**t” and collapsed sideways onto the floor.
Fellow senators and staff quickly rushed to his aid, and Senate Speaker Raymonde Gagné immediately suspended the session for approximately 20 minutes. The Senate later confirmed that paramedics were examining him and that he appeared to be recovering.
Bill C-5, a major projects bill championed by Prime Minister Mark Carney, seeks to grant Ottawa the power to fast-track project permits. This legislation has drawn significant opposition from Indigenous and environmental groups who argue that it disregards Charter rights and should not be rushed through Parliament. Despite these concerns, the Liberal and Conservative parties pushed the bill through the House of Commons, and it underwent a rare pre-study by the Senate.