Patrick Brazeau

Brazeau is an Algonquin from the Kitigan Zibi reserve near Maniwaki. He worked at {{HMCS|Carleton}}, a Royal Canadian Naval Reserve unit based in Ottawa that operates under the Canadian Forces Maritime Command. Brazeau earned a Quebec Diploma of College Studies in social sciences from CEGEP Heritage College (Gatineau) and studied, but dropped out of, civil law at the University of Ottawa.{{cite news |first=Wayne K. |last=Spear |url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/wayne-k-spear-brazeaus-latest-outburst-shines-a-harsh-light-on-the-senate |title=Brazeau's latest outburst shines a harsh light on the Senate |newspaper=National Post |date=June 27, 2012}}

Fluent in both official Canadian languages, English and French, Brazeau's language preference is French.

Brazeau joined the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) in 2001 and was elected vice-chief in April 2005. He acted as national chief from February 2006 until his election later in November of the same year. He is a member of CAP's affiliate, Alliance Autochtone du Quebec Inc. also known as the Native Alliance of Quebec, or the AAQ or NAQ.[http://www.abo-peoples.org/affiliates/aaq.html Congress of Aboriginal Peoples ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091025220259/http://www.abo-peoples.org/affiliates/aaq.html |date=October 25, 2009 }}

Brazeau pursued a very vocal strategy to obtain repeal of Section 67 of the Canadian Human Rights Act as his CAP vision.{{cite web|url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/About/Parliament/LegislativeSummaries/bills_ls.asp?ls=c21&Parl=39&Ses=2|title=Bill C-21: An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act (LS-577E) |first=Mary C. |last=Hurley |work=Parliament of Canada |date=November 14, 2007 |access-date=June 20, 2015 |archive-date=June 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620185802/http://www.parl.gc.ca/About/Parliament/LegislativeSummaries/bills_ls.asp?ls=c21&Parl=39&Ses=2 |url-status=dead}} His position was that Section 67 impeded the individual human rights of aboriginals by its insistence that communal Indian Act rights superseded the CHRA. In this position he was supported by editorials of the National Post and the Globe and Mail. Brazeau endorsed passage of Bill C-21 as a step toward reform of Aboriginal governance, suggesting on 20 June 2008 that the extension of human rights protection “will ultimately lead to the dismantling of the Indian Act.”

On December 22, 2008, Brazeau was appointed to the Senate on the advice of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.{{cite web|url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/common/senmemb/senate/isenator_det.asp?senator_id=2805&sortord=N&Language=E&M=M|title=Senators - Detailed Information}}{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He was sworn in as a senator on January 8, 2009.

On March 31, 2012, Brazeau lost in a celebrity boxing match to Liberal MP (and future Prime Minister) Justin Trudeau.{{cite news |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/justin-trudeau-boxing |title=Justin Trudeau scores major upset in Fight for the Cure boxing match over Conservative Senator Patrick Brazeau |newspaper=National Post |date=March 31, 2012 |access-date=2024-03-15}} Brazeau has stated that he would like a rematch with Trudeau but Trudeau declined to participate in another boxing match.

On May 30, 2015, Brazeau acted as a guest referee at a Great North Wrestling event at the Earl Armstrong Arena in Ottawa. Brazeau ended up getting bodyslammed through a table during the course of the match.{{Cite news |url=https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2015/05/31/le-senateur-suspendu-patrick-brazeau-se-fait-projeter-a-travers-une-table-lors-dun-combat-de-lutte |title=Le sénateur suspendu Patrick Brazeau se fait projeter à travers une table lors d'un combat de lutte |date=May 31, 2015 |access-date=June 20, 2015 |language=fr |website=Le Journal de Montréal}}

In the early hours of January 19, 2016, Brazeau was admitted to hospital in critical but stable condition after he was found seriously injured in his home. The Quebec provincial police issued a statement indicating Brazeau's injuries did not appear related to criminal activity, and the Hull hospital released a statement saying his injuries were treated by successful surgery and were not considered life-threatening.{{Cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/patrick-brazeau-injured-mayo-quebec-1.3409877 |title=Senator Patrick Brazeau in critical but stable condition in Gatineau hospital |date=January 19, 2016 |access-date=January 19, 2016 |language=en |website=CBC News}}

On February 24, 2016, reports came out that Brazeau was hospitalized because of a suicide attempt in his house.{{Cite news |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/brazeau-s-hospitalization-was-result-of-suicide-attempt-1.2789598 |title=Brazeau's hospitalization was result of suicide attempt |last=McGregor |first=Glen |date=February 23, 2016 |access-date=February 24, 2016 |language=en |website=CTVNEWS}}

Brazeau has been a proponent of Bill S-254, sponsoring its introduction to the Senate in November, 2022.{{Cite web |title=S-254 (44-1) - LEGISinfo - Parliament of Canada |url=https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/44-1/s-254 |access-date=2023-05-24 |website=www.parl.ca}} The Bill, if passed, would require health warning labels on all alcohol bottles to warn consumers about the potential risks of drinking.{{Cite news |last=Tasker |first=John Paul |date=May 22, 2023 |title=Canada's got a drinking problem — and one senator says Ottawa needs to step up |work=CBC |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/tasker-canada-alcohol-problem-health-warning-labels-1.6850180 |access-date=May 24, 2023}}

In March 2025, amid the 2nd Trump administration's trade / tariff war, Brazeau suggested a boxing match with the president's son, Donald Trump Jr., to raise funds for cancer research.{{Cite news |title=Canadian senator challenges Donald Trump Jr. to a boxing match |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadian-senator-challenges-donald-trump-boxing-match-1.7476791 |quote=Sen. Patrick Brazeau wants to punch Donald Trump in the face. Not the U.S. president, but his son, Donald Trump Jr. The Quebec senator took to social media on Thursday to challenge the younger Trump to a charity boxing match. "In light of these bogus tariffs … I challenge you to a fight to raise money for cancer research or an organization of your choosing,"}}{{Cite web |last=Durante |first=Tom |date=2025-03-07 |title=Canadian Senator Challenges Don Jr. to Boxing Match Over 'Bogus Tariffs': 'Our Countries Don't Need to Be at War But We Can Fight' |url=https://www.mediaite.com/news/canadian-senator-challenges-don-jr-to-boxing-match-over-bogus-tariffs-our-countries-dont-need-to-be-at-war-but-we-can-fight/ |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Mediaite |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2025-03-07 |title=He 'once had a boxing match with Trudeau and lost.' Now he is challenging Trump Jr. |url=https://ca.news.yahoo.com/once-had-boxing-match-trudeau-195245469.html |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-CA}}

Brazeau was criticized for stating his intention to accept a seat in the Senate and concurrently remain national chief of the CAP thus collecting two publicly funded six-figure salaries; a decision from which he subsequently retreated by resigning as CAP chief.{{cite news

|url=http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/090109/n0109113A.html

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115082637/http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/090109/n0109113A.html

|archive-date=January 15, 2013

|title=Native leader steps down to focus on Senate

|publisher=CBC News

|date=January 9, 2009

|access-date=2009-01-13

|url-status=dead}} He has also come under fire over a sexual harassment complaint made against him to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario{{Cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/new-tory-senator-faces-harassment-complaint/article1146086/ |title=New Tory senator faces harassment complaint |last=Curry |first=Bill |date=January 6, 2009 |publisher=The Globe and Mail |location=Toronto}} and for allegedly condoning heavy drinking during business hours.{{Cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/controversial-new-senator-quits-aboriginal-leadership-job-1.815581 |title=Controversial new senator quits aboriginal leadership job |date=January 9, 2009 |work=CBC News}}

Brazeau resigned{{cite news

|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090110.BRAZEAU10/TPStory/National

|title=Brazeau picks Senate over aboriginal advocacy

|publisher=Globe & Mail - Bill Curry

|date=January 10, 2009

|access-date=2009-01-13

|location=Toronto

}} {{Dead link|date=April 2014|bot=RjwilmsiBot}} from his position of national chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples on January 9, 2009, issuing the following statement{{cite news

|url=http://www.abo-peoples.org/media/Statement%20CHIEF%20BRAZEAU.doc

|title=Statement by Congress of Aboriginal Peoples National Chief Patrick Brazeau on his Appointment to the Senate of Canada, January 9, 2008

|publisher=Congress of Aboriginal Peoples

|date=January 9, 2009

|access-date=2009-01-13}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}} on the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples' website:

{{blockquote|In December 2008, I was honoured by my nomination to the Senate of Canada by the Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Stephen Harper. Such an appointment is a great privilege and affords me the considerable opportunity to continue my public service to Canada. My goal is and has always been to serve Canada’s Aboriginal peoples and my country to the best of my skills and abilities, in a manner that is accountable, responsible and transparent. I am committed to bringing this same discipline to my role as a Senator in the Parliament of Canada. To this end, I have decided to step down from my position as National Chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples effective immediately. I am eager to fully embrace my new role and to contribute to the important work of the Senate of Canada. I am committed to continuing my advancement of Aboriginal issues and opportunities across Canada. Further, I relish the opportunity to build upon the achievements of Prime Minister Harper’s government.}}

In addition, he has faced allegations regarding the spending of funds received by the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples for aboriginal health programs. The Globe and Mail reported on January 19, 2009, that Health Canada auditors rejected almost $260,000 in congress expenses out of a budget of $472,900 allocated to the congress by the ministry, alleging that much of the money had been spent on board meetings where health issues were not discussed.{{cite news |first=Bill |last=Curry |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090119.wbrazeau17/BNStory/politics/ |title=Aboriginal group led by Brazeau must return funding |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |date=January 19, 2009}} Conservative Party spokesman Kory Teneycke indicated that the alleged misspending occurred before Brazeau became chief of the organization, and that Brazeau took steps to address the problem once he took over the leadership.{{cite news |first=Bill |last=Curry |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090120.wbrazeau20/BNStory/politics/home |title=PM stands by Brazeau as choice for Senate |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |date=January 20, 2009}}

On June 26, 2012, Brazeau came under fire after attacking Canadian Press journalist Jennifer Ditchburn via his official Twitter account. Brazeau publicly called Ditchburn a "bitch" after she reported on his poor Senate attendance record.{{cite web|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/senator-patrick-brazeau-calls-journalist-a-bitch-after-she-reports-his-poor-attendance-record|title=Senator Patrick Brazeau calls journalist a bitch after she reports his poor attendance record |first=Jennifer |last=Ditchburn |date=June 26, 2012 |work=National Post|access-date=March 15, 2024}} Brazeau did in fact have poor attendance on the Senate floor: the Senate attendance register showed that he was absent for 25% of the Senate's 72 sittings between June 2011 and April 2012. He was also absent for 31% of the meetings of the human rights committee, where he is deputy-chair, and for 65% of meetings at the Senate Standing Committee on Aboriginal Peoples, on which he sits.

{{Main|Canadian Senate expenses scandal}}

Without the knowledge of his ex-wife's father, Brazeau used Daryl Tenasco's address at Kitigan Zibi, Quebec, for the purpose obtaining an aboriginal income tax exemption from 2004 to 2008. Kitigan Zibi Chief Gilbert Whiteduck said: “Normally you have income tax exemption when you live on a reserve and you are employed by a reserve.” Neighbours said it did not appear that Brazeau lived in the community. According to Jean Guy Whiteduck “I’ve never seen him, it’s right across from my place. I’ve never seen him there. He may have visited. That’s about it."{{cite web |url= http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/brazeau-used-father-in-law-s-address-to-get-tax-exemption-1.1146468 |title=Brazeau used father-in-law's address to get tax exemption | CTV News |last=CTVNews.ca Staff |work=ctvnews.ca |year=2013 |quote=Kitigan Zibi Chief |access-date=February 7, 2013}}

On February 28, 2013, the Senate committee of Internal Economy{{cite web|url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/sencommitteebusiness/CommitteeMembers.aspx?parl=41&ses=1&Language=E&comm_id=9|title=Members|work=parl.gc.ca|access-date=June 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620185635/http://www.parl.gc.ca/sencommitteebusiness/CommitteeMembers.aspx?parl=41&ses=1&Language=E&comm_id=9|archive-date=June 20, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} announced that Brazeau, along with fellow senators Pamela Wallin, Mike Duffy, and Mac Harb, would be subject to a forensic audit to determine appropriateness of their expense claims.{{cite news |url= https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/senator-mike-duffy-declared-eligible-for-p-e-i-seat-1.1313497 |title=Four senators subject to further spending audit as probe wraps |first=Laura |last=Payton |work=CBC News |year=2013 |quote=Pamela Wallin, Mike Duffy, Mac Harb and Patrick Brazeau |access-date=February 28, 2013}}

Deloitte accountants Timm and Stewart conducted an independent audit into the expenses. According to Brazeau, the audit came to the conclusion that he made no false claims and reached no conclusions as to whether he met the Senate's definition of primary residence, because there was none. The audit document can be found in Senate papers dated 7 May 2013.{{cite web |url=https://sencanada.ca/content/sen/Committee/411/ciba/rep/Deloitte_SenBrazeau-e.pdf |work=Deloitte |title=Examination of Senator Brazeau's Primary and Secondary Residence Status |date=May 2013}}

After the conclusions of Deloitte, the Senate's Subcommittee on Living Allowances wrote their own conclusions for the Internal Economy committee, who then recommended on 9 May to the entire Senate{{cite web|url=https://sencanada.ca/en/Content/Sen/committee/411/ciba/08cv-e|title=Internal, Issue 8, Cover|work=parl.gc.ca|access-date=June 20, 2015}} that he be ordered to reimburse a minimum of $51,482 in expense money.{{Cite news |first1=Bill |last1=Curry |first2=Kim |last2=Mackrael |date=May 14, 2013 |title=Senator Patrick Brazeau fights order to repay thousands in expenses |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/senator-patrick-brazeau-fights-order-to-repay-thousands-in-expenses/article11916549/ |publisher=The Globe and Mail |access-date=July 7, 2013 |location=Toronto}}{{cite web|url=https://sencanada.ca/content/sen/committee/411/ciba/rep/rep23may13-e.htm|title=Twenty-Third Report|work=parl.gc.ca|access-date=June 20, 2015}} "Liberal Senator Mac Harb and Independent Senator Patrick Brazeau must immediately repay inappropriately claimed expenses or the Senate will seize the funds," said Marjory LeBreton, the then-current Leader of the Government in the Senate. A spokeswoman from LeBreton's office said Brazeau's pay may be withheld as a means of recovering the funds. Brazeau challenged the internal economy committee's order.

On August 1, 2013, in an affidavit filed in an Ottawa court, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police alleged that Brazeau inappropriately claimed his father's home in Maniwaki as his primary residence in order to claim a $22,000 a year taxpayer funded housing allowance. The affidavit said that Brazeau actually resided in a rented Gatineau home right across the Ottawa river from his workplace, while claiming the housing allowance for living in Maniwaki.{{Cite news |last=Radia |first=Andy |date=August 1, 2013 |title=RCMP alleges Senator Patrick Brazeau committed breach of trust over housing claims |url=http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/canada-politics/rcmp-allege-senator-patrick-brazeau-inappropriately-claimed-father-205146921.html |publisher=Yahoo! |access-date=August 2, 2013}} CTV news employee Robert Fife reported that the RCMP investigation revealed that Brazeau was being investigated for breach of trust.{{Cite news |last=Fife |first=Robert |date=August 1, 2013 |title=Brazeau 'never lived' in Maniwaki; expense claims constitute breach of trust: RCMP docs |url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/brazeau-never-lived-in-maniwaki-expense-claims-constitute-breach-of-trust-rcmp-docs-1.1393964 |publisher=CTV News |access-date=August 2, 2013}} Brazeau later singled out Fife in his Senate farewell speech on 4 November 2013.{{Cite web|url=https://sencanada.ca/en/content/sen/chamber/412/debates/011db_2013-11-04-e#26|title=Senate of Canada - Debates|last=Canada|first=Senate of|website=Senate of Canada|language=en-CA|access-date=2018-01-17}}

Brazeau was criticized for mocking Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence at a Conservative fundraiser in an Ottawa suburb on 29 January 2013. In an audio recording from the event provided to CTV News by Metroland Media, Brazeau is heard stating publicly "Oh, poor Theresa Spence. Oh, poor her," in regards to the six-week-long hunger strike that the aboriginal leader had recently ended. The hunger strike was aimed to force a meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Governor General of Canada David Johnston to discuss aboriginal treaty rights and socioeconomic issues.

Brazeau was also critical of the Idle No More movement, saying that he felt many Canadian aboriginals simply expected to be supported by taxpayers. The recording also revealed Brazeau stating "To sit back, wait for the government to give me handouts. Maybe be on welfare, maybe drink, maybe take up drugs", in regards to aboriginal Canadians. He later returned to the subject of dismantling the Indian Act when he added "The best way to get our land back is to buy it back. Just like every other Canadian."{{cite web|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/sen-brazeau-mocks-chief-spence-idle-no-more-movement-1.1138545|title=Sen. Brazeau mocks Chief Spence, Idle No More movement|work=CTVNews|date=31 January 2013 |access-date=June 20, 2015}}

Brazeau also insinuated in the recording that Spence had actually gained weight during her "so-called hunger strike".{{Cite news |last=Hunt |first=Nevil |date=January 30, 2013 |title=Conservative MP and senator belittle Chief Theresa Spence, Idle No More movement |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/01/30/conservative_mp_and_senator_belittle_chief_theresa_spence_idle_no_more_movement.html |publisher=The Toronto Star |access-date=February 8, 2013}}

On February 7, 2013, scarcely nine days after the Spence incident, Brazeau was arrested for an incident relating to domestic violence.{{cite web |title=Senator Brazeau gets 'paid' holiday but no more little 'extras' |url=http://www.cornwallseawaynews.com/Blog-Article/b/23677/Senator-Brazeau-gets-paid-holiday |access-date=2013-02-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140210031117/http://www.cornwallseawaynews.com/Blog-Article/b/23677/Senator-Brazeau-gets-paid-holiday |archive-date=2014-02-10 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www2.macleans.ca/2010/03/12/mitchel-raphael-on-why-peter-mackay-doesn%E2%80%99t-have-a-wedding-date-and-a-surfer-mp/ |title=Maclean's "Capital Diary" |date=2010-03-12 |access-date=2013-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222164721/http://www2.macleans.ca/2010/03/12/mitchel-raphael-on-why-peter-mackay-doesn%E2%80%99t-have-a-wedding-date-and-a-surfer-mp/ |archive-date=2014-02-22 |url-status=dead }} He was charged with assault and sexual assault in Gatineau court house the next day. After a short court appearance Brazeau was released on $1000 bail on the condition he not go within 150 metres of the victim's work or home.{{cite web |url= http://www.ipolitics.ca/2013/02/08/brazeau-expected-in-court-at-9am-faces-potential-assault-sexual-assault-charges/ |title=Brazeau faces assault, sexual assault charges |last=iPolitics |work=ipolitics.ca |year=2013 |quote=Gatineau court house |access-date=February 8, 2013}}{{cite web |last=Lindell |first=Rebecca |year=2013 |title=Court documents detail allegations against Sen. Patrick Brazeau |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/398750/court-documents-detail-allegations-against-sen-patrick-brazeau/ |access-date=February 27, 2013 |work=Global News}} Government Senate Leader Marjory LeBreton later announced that, pending a resolution to Brazeau's legal situation, the Senator will be removed from the Conservative caucus and barred from taking his seat, although the Senator will still be paid his full salary.{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/inside-politics-blog/2013/02/brazeau-to-be-barred-from-chamber-but-will-still-collect-senate-salary.html |title=Brazeau to be barred from Chamber, but will still collect senate salary |work=CBC News |date=February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210104753/http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/inside-politics-blog/2013/02/brazeau-to-be-barred-from-chamber-but-will-still-collect-senate-salary.html |archive-date=February 10, 2013 }}

April 10, 2014, the day before a trial was to be set, police allege that he was intoxicated and got into an altercation with a woman. They arrested him on new charges of assault, cocaine possession, uttering threats and breach of bail conditions. He has pleaded not guilty.{{cite news| url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/patrick-brazeau-arrested-for-cocaine-assault-and-threats-police-say/article17912333/ | location=Toronto | work=The Globe and Mail | title=Patrick Brazeau pleads not guilty to assault, cocaine, threats charges | date=April 11, 2014}}

On October 13, 2014, Brazeau was charged with intoxicated driving. An officer investigated an unconscious Brazeau as he parked and was seated behind the steering wheel and he detected a strong scent of liquor. Brazeau tested for .16 BAC at the police station.{{cite web |work=CBC News |title=Patrick Brazeau ordered to rehab center for 2 months |date=October 14, 2014 |location=Ottawa |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/patrick-brazeau-ordered-to-rehab-centre-for-2-months-1.2797640. |access-date=October 14, 2014}} He is officially charged with violating bail conditions and intoxicated driving. A knife was found in his vehicle, and he was charged with weapons possession violating bail conditions. Brazeau was court ordered to two months of detox rehabilitation as he awaits trial.{{cite news |last=Sparks |first=Riley |title=Patrick Brazeau ordered to rehab for two months |date=October 14, 2014 |newspaper=The Star |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/10/14/senator_brazeau_arrested_again.html |access-date=October 14, 2014}}

On September 15, 2015, Brazeau pleaded guilty to simple assault and possessing cocaine as part of a plea bargain in which he was acquitted of sexual assault.{{cite web | url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/brazeau-court-tuesday-assault-1.3228567 | title=Patrick Brazeau pleads guilty to simple assault, cocaine possession | publisher=CBC News | date=15 September 2015 | access-date=15 September 2015}} The simple assault plea was connected to the February 2013 assault, and the cocaine possession plea was connected to the April 2014, for which the assault charges were dropped after the plea deal. The October 2014 impaired driving charges are still outstanding as of the guilty plea.

On October 28, 2015, he was granted an absolute discharge by the Quebec Court but remained suspended from the Senate, despite still facing a criminal trial for fraud and breach of trust arising from his Senate expenses. On July 13, 2016, the fraud and breach of trust charges were withdrawn by the Crown as there was no reasonable possibility of conviction, and as a result, his leave of absence from the Senate was ended.{{Cite news|last1=Tasker|first1=John Paul|last2=McGregor|first2=Janyce|date=13 July 2016|title=Patrick Brazeau clear to return to Senate as fraud charges dropped|work=CBC News|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/senator-patrick-brazeau-court-charges-1.3676831|access-date=24 February 2022}}

Since Brazeau was facing charges of assault and sexual assault, the Senate voted to suspend him on 12 February 2013. The motion stated that "in order to protect the dignity and reputation of the Senate and public trust and confidence in Parliament, the Senate order a leave of absence for the Honourable Senator Brazeau to last until this order is rescinded".{{Cite news |last=Hannay |first=Chris |date=February 12, 2013 |title=The full text of the motion to force Senator Patrick Brazeau to take leave of absence |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/the-full-text-of-the-motion-to-force-senator-patrick-brazeau-to-take-leave-of-absence/article8502027/ |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |access-date=December 12, 2013 |location=Toronto}} On 5 November 2013, the Senate voted to suspend Brazeau, along with fellow Senators Mike Duffy and Pamela Wallin, for the remainder of the session, likely until the next federal election in 2015.{{Cite news |last=MacKinnon |first=Leslie |date=November 5, 2013 |title=Senate votes to suspend Brazeau, Duffy, Wallin |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/senate-votes-to-suspend-brazeau-duffy-wallin-1.2415815 |publisher=CBC News |access-date=December 12, 2013}} The Senate also cut their salaries and use of office resources. The specific motion to suspend Brazeau without pay was voted on as follows: 50 yeas, 29 nays, and 13 abstentions. It marked the first time in Senate history that a senator had been sanctioned over expenses without being convicted of a criminal offence. With the early election call by Prime Minister Harper on August 2, 2015, Senators Brazeau, Duffy and Wallen recommenced receiving their salaries and benefits.

Brazeau returned to his seat in the Senate in September 2016 after charges of fraud and breach of trust related to his expense claims were withdrawn by the Crown. Reflecting on his suspension two years later, Brazeau admitted to making "bad decisions" in the past, but felt vindicated by the courts, saying that the controversy surrounding his expenses was politically motivated.{{Cite web|date=2018-09-07|title='I'm just lucky to be here': Patrick Brazeau's quiet comeback after years of scandal|url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/outintheopen/i-m-just-lucky-to-be-here-patrick-brazeau-s-quiet-comeback-after-years-of-scandal-1.4809736|website=CBC Radio}}

Denied his salary as a Senator and without other means of support, Brazeau embarked on a very public search for employment following his suspension, resorting to soliciting work via Twitter. In December 2013, Brazeau was hired as a freelance reporter for the Halifax edition of the satirical magazine Frank{{cite news|title=Suspended senator Brazeau lands gig with Frank Magazine as Parliament Hill reporter|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/suspend-senator-brazeau-lands-gig-as-parliament-hill-reporter/article15715415/#dashboard/follows/|access-date=December 2, 2013|newspaper=Globe and Mail|date=December 2, 2013|location=Toronto}} but was fired after writing one column.{{cite news|title=Suspended senator Patrick Brazeau managing Ottawa strip club|url=http://www.ottawasun.com/2014/02/18/suspended-senator-patrick-brazeau-managing-ottawa-strip-club|access-date=February 18, 2014|newspaper=Ottawa Sun|date=February 18, 2014}} In January 2014, Brazeau wrote a column for the political website Loonie Politics where he outlines his argument why Prime Minister Stephen Harper is not serious about senate reform.{{cite web|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/patrick-brazeau-says-stephen-harper-doesnt-believe-in-senate-reform-sort-of-asks-for-a-buy-out|title=Patrick Brazeau says Stephen Harper doesn't believe in Senate reform, sort of asks for a buy-out |first=Josh |last=Visser|date=30 January 2014|work=National Post|access-date=March 15, 2024}}

Brazeau was hired as day manager of an Ottawa strip club known as the Bare Fax in February 2014.[http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/suspended-senator-patrick-brazeau-lands-new-job-at-ottawa-strip-club-1.1693868 "Suspended senator Patrick Brazeau lands new job at Ottawa strip club"]. CTV News, February 19, 2014. "A job is a job", he was quoted by an Ottawa reporter as saying in regards to his new occupation.{{Cite news|last=Willing|first=Jon|date=February 19, 2014|title='A job is a job', Sen. Brazeau says of strip club gig|publisher=Ottawa Sun|url=http://www.ottawasun.com/2014/02/19/a-job-is-a-job-sen-brazeau-says-of-strip-club-gig|access-date=February 20, 2014}} As day manager he was in charge of 25-30 staff members, including everything from hiring and firing to scheduling. Brazeau later described the move as an act of desperation, after being unable to find a job. He had also expressed interest in writing a book or starring in a reality show as means of earning an income, prior to his suspension being lifted.

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