Senate proceedings were abruptly halted Wednesday after Sen. Patrick Brazeau collapsed during debate, prompting concern among colleagues and an immediate medical response on the chamber floor.Blacklock's Reporter says Brazeau, 50, was speaking during discussion of Bill C-5, the proposed Free Trade and Labour Mobility Act, when he suddenly fell. Moments earlier, he had answered a question from the Speaker, then muttered “Oh, s----” as he braced himself on a desk and dropped to the floor.The incident triggered shouts of alarm from fellow senators and brought Sen. Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia — a family physician and professor of medicine — rushing to help. Paramedics were later called to assess Brazeau’s condition..“Sen. Brazeau received medical attention after the incident in the Chamber,” said Senate spokesperson Beatrice Britneff. “He was examined by paramedics.” The debate was paused for 29 minutes before resuming.“Colleagues, I would just like to thank everyone for the quick action,” said the Speaker, acknowledging the prompt response. Opposition Leader Sen. Leo Housakos praised Ravalia, saying, “How lucky we are to have Dr. Ravalia. Thank you for always being there for all of us.”.Brazeau’s office has not released a statement. The senator has spoken publicly in the past about his personal struggles with alcohol use disorder, which contributed to a temporary Senate suspension in 2013.“For too long I struggled,” Brazeau shared in a March 29 social media post. “I drank to hide the pain, to drown my low self-esteem and I hit rock bottom as I thought life and my kids would be better off without me. If you’re struggling, never be ashamed to ask for help.”In a 2023 speech in the Senate, Brazeau spoke about the ongoing battle of addiction, reflecting on the millions of minutes he had gone without a drink. He emphasized that alcohol use disorder affects people from all walks of life, including many who are high functioning.Brazeau was previously placed on leave in 2013 after being charged with assault. He later pleaded guilty and was granted an absolute discharge.
