Patrick Brazeau

Last updated

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.

Use of CAP funds

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. [19] 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. [20]

Senate attendance record

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. [21] 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.

Residency controversy

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." [22]

On February 28, 2013, the Senate committee of Internal Economy [23] 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. [24]

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. [25] The audit document can be found in Senate papers dated 7 May 2013. [26]

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 [27] that he be ordered to reimburse a minimum of $51,482 in expense money. [25] [28] "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. [25] Brazeau challenged the internal economy committee's order. [25]

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. [29] CTV news employee Robert Fife reported that the RCMP investigation revealed that Brazeau was being investigated for breach of trust. [30] Brazeau later singled out Fife in his Senate farewell speech on 4 November 2013. [31]

Chief Theresa Spence

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." [32]

Brazeau also insinuated in the recording that Spence had actually gained weight during her "so-called hunger strike". [33]

On February 7, 2013, scarcely nine days after the Spence incident, Brazeau was arrested for an incident relating to domestic violence. [34] [35] 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. [36] [37] 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. [38]

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. [39]

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. [40] 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. [41]

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. [42] 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. [42] The October 2014 impaired driving charges are still outstanding as of the guilty plea. [42]

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. [2] 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. [43]

Suspension from and return to Senate

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". [44] 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. [45] The Senate also cut their salaries and use of office resources. [45] The specific motion to suspend Brazeau without pay was voted on as follows: 50 yeas, 29 nays, and 13 abstentions. [45] 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. [45]

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. [3] 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. [46]

Work outside the Senate

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 [47] but was fired after writing one column. [48] 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. [49]

Brazeau was hired as day manager of an Ottawa strip club known as the Bare Fax in February 2014. [48] [50] "A job is a job", he was quoted by an Ottawa reporter as saying in regards to his new occupation. [51] As day manager he was in charge of 25-30 staff members, including everything from hiring and firing to scheduling. [51] Brazeau later described the move as an act of desperation, after being unable to find a job. [46] 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. [47]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Harper</span> Prime Minister of Canada from 2006 to 2015

Stephen Joseph Harper is a Canadian politician who served as the 22nd prime minister of Canada from 2006 to 2015. Harper is the first and only prime minister to come from the modern-day Conservative Party of Canada, serving as the party's first leader from 2004 to 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Trudeau</span> Prime Minister of Canada since 2015

Justin Pierre James Trudeau is a Canadian politician who has served as the 23rd prime minister of Canada since 2015 and the leader of the Liberal Party since 2013. Trudeau was the second-youngest prime minister in Canadian history when he took office and the first to be the child of a previous holder of the post, as the eldest son of Pierre Trudeau.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pamela Wallin</span> Canadian senator and television journalist

Pamela Wallin is a Canadian senator, former television journalist, and diplomat. She was appointed to the senate on January 2, 2009, where she initially sat as a Conservative.

Mac Harb is a former Canadian politician, who served successively in local Ottawa positions, as a Member of the House of Commons, and as a Senator for Ontario. He resigned his seat as Senator in 2013 amidst the Canadian Senate expenses scandal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pierre Poilievre</span> Canadian politician (born 1979)

Pierre Marcel Poilievre is a Canadian politician who has served as the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and the leader of the Official Opposition since 2022. He has been a member of Parliament (MP) since 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pierre Claude Nolin</span> Canadian politician (1950–2015)

Pierre Claude Nolin was a Canadian politician and senator. A prominent member of the Conservative Party of Canada from 2004 until his death, he became an influential figure in the Party's parliamentary caucus.

James Colin Ramsey Kenny is a former Canadian Senator. A member of the Liberal Party, he was appointed to the Senate in 1984 by Pierre Trudeau to represent the Rideau region of Ontario.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Plett</span> Canadian politician

Donald Neil Plett is a Canadian senator who has been the leader of the Opposition in the Canadian Senate since November 5, 2019. He is the founding president of the National Council of the Conservative Party of Canada, and the longest serving individual to have held this position.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Duffy</span> Canadian former senator and journalist (born 1946)

Michael Dennis Duffy is a former Canadian senator and former Canadian television journalist. Prior to his appointment to the upper house in 2008, he was the Ottawa editor for CTV News Channel. Upon turning 75 on May 27, 2021, Duffy retired from the senate due to mandatory retirement rules.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Commanda</span>

William Commanda OC was an Algonquin elder, spiritual leader, and promoter of environmental stewardship. Commanda served as Band Chief of the Kitigàn-zìbì Anishinàbeg First Nation near Maniwaki, Quebec, from 1951 to 1970. In his life, he worked as a guide, a trapper and woodsman, and was a skilled craftsman and artisan who excelled at constructing birch bark canoes. He was Keeper of several Algonquin wampum shell belts, which held records of prophecies, history, treaties and agreements. In 2008, Commanda was appointed to the rank of officer of the Order of Canada.

Shawn Brant is a Native activist who lives on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Ontario, Canada. He has been involved in direct action struggles for Native land rights, in conflict with Ontario provincial authorities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Meredith (politician)</span> Canadian politician

Donald Meredith is a Canadian Pentecostal minister and former politician. Meredith was appointed to the Senate of Canada on 18 December 2010 as a Conservative. He was expelled from the Conservative caucus on 17 June 2015, however, following allegations that he had groomed a teenager for two years, starting when the girl was 16. He was found guilty of ethics violations by the Senate ethics office in March 2017.

Stephen Greene is a Canadian politician and an independent member of the Senate of Canada. He was appointed on the advice of Stephen Harper to the Senate on January 2, 2009, and sat as a Conservative Senator until May 2017, when Senate Leader Larry Smith removed him for his support for Senate reform proposals put forth by the governing Liberal Party. Greene then decided to sit as an "Independent Reform" Senator.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leo Housakos</span> Canadian politician

Leonidas Housakos is a Canadian politician who has served as the senator for Wellington, Quebec since January 8, 2009. A member of the Conservative Party, Housakos was appointed on the advice of Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Housakos served as the speaker of the Senate for part of 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">41st Canadian Parliament</span> Canadian parliamentary session

The 41st Canadian Parliament was in session from June 2, 2011 to August 2, 2015, with the membership of its House of Commons having been determined by the results of the 2011 federal election held on May 2, 2011. Parliament convened on June 2, 2011, with the election of Andrew Scheer as Speaker, followed the next day with the Speech from the Throne. There were two sessions in this Parliament. On August 2, 2015, Prime Minister Stephen Harper asked the Governor General to dissolve Parliament and issue the writ of election, leading to an 11-week election campaign period for the 2015 federal election. Significant legislation adopted during the 41st Parliament included the Copyright Modernization Act, the Safe Streets and Communities Act, the Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act, the Jobs and Growth Act and the Fair Elections Act.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Williamson (Canadian politician)</span> Canadian politician

John S. L. Williamson is a Canadian politician who has represented the riding of New Brunswick Southwest in the House of Commons of Canada as a member of the Conservative Party of Canada since 2019. He represented the riding from 2011 until his defeat in the 2015 election. He was elected again in the 2019 election.

Jean-Guy Dagenais is a Canadian politician from Quebec. He was appointed to the Senate of Canada on January 17, 2012, by Stephen Harper after losing in the 2011 Canadian federal election running as a Conservative candidate in Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot. He represents the Senate division of Victoria (Quebec). In 2019, he left the Conservative Senate caucus to sit with the Canadian Senators Group, and left the Conservative party in 2022 shortly after Pierre Poilievre was elected as leader.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of Rob Ford crack video scandal</span>

In May 2013, the American website Gawker and the Toronto Star reported that they had viewed a cellphone video that showed then-Mayor of Toronto Rob Ford smoking crack cocaine and commenting on political issues. Gawker raised money to buy the video, but were unable to acquire it when the seller broke off contact. On October 31, 2013, the Toronto Police Service announced that they were in possession of the video, "and at least one other". The video was retrieved in the course of an investigation of drug gangs, entitled "Project Traveller". Ford's associate Alexander "Sandro" Lisi was charged with extortion for attempting to retrieve the video, in exchange for marijuana.

The Canadian Senate expenses scandal, also known as Duffygate, was a political scandal concerning the expense claims of certain Canadian senators which began in late 2012. Senators Patrick Brazeau, Mike Duffy, Mac Harb, and Pamela Wallin claimed travel and living allowance expenses from the Senate for which they were not eligible. Deloitte LLP was retained to provide the Senate with an independent examination of the expense claims. Duffy, Harb, and Wallin repaid ineligible amounts. Harb retired a few months into the scandal, and in November 2013, Brazeau, Duffy, and Wallin were suspended from the Senate without pay. Brazeau, Duffy, and Harb were criminally charged. On April 21, 2016, Duffy was acquitted on all charges. Charges against Harb were withdrawn and no charges were to be laid against Wallin. The scandal attracted much public attention, with as many as 73% of Canadians following it closely. Many said that the scandal impacted the 2015 Canadian general election.

In late 2014, Canadian radio host Jian Ghomeshi was arrested and charged with four counts of sexual assault, and one count of overcoming resistance by choking, in relation to three complainants. He was charged with three additional counts related to three more women on January 8, 2015. On October 1, 2015, Ghomeshi pleaded not guilty to one count of choking and four counts of sexual assault. The trial began on February 1, 2016. He was acquitted of all five charges on March 24, 2016.

References

  1. CBC News (February 8, 2013). "Patrick Brazeau facing domestic, sexual assault charges". CBC.ca. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Brazeau won't serve jail time after pleading guilty to assault, cocaine charges". The Globe and Mail . October 28, 2015. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  3. 1 2 Harris, Kathleen (September 17, 2016). "Patrick Brazeau returns to Senate after long legal battle". CBC News. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  4. Spear, Wayne K. (June 27, 2012). "Brazeau's latest outburst shines a harsh light on the Senate". National Post .
  5. Congress of Aboriginal Peoples Archived October 25, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  6. 1 2 3 Hurley, Mary C. (November 14, 2007). "Bill C-21: An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act (LS-577E)". Parliament of Canada. Archived from the original on June 20, 2015. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  7. "Senators - Detailed Information".[ permanent dead link ]
  8. "Justin Trudeau scores major upset in Fight for the Cure boxing match over Conservative Senator Patrick Brazeau". National Post. March 31, 2012. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
  9. "Le sénateur suspendu Patrick Brazeau se fait projeter à travers une table lors d'un combat de lutte". Le Journal de Montréal (in French). May 31, 2015. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  10. "Senator Patrick Brazeau in critical but stable condition in Gatineau hospital". CBC News. January 19, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  11. McGregor, Glen (February 23, 2016). "Brazeau's hospitalization was result of suicide attempt". CTVNEWS. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  12. "S-254 (44-1) - LEGISinfo - Parliament of Canada". www.parl.ca. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  13. Tasker, John Paul (May 22, 2023). "Canada's got a drinking problem — and one senator says Ottawa needs to step up". CBC. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  14. "Native leader steps down to focus on Senate". CBC News. January 9, 2009. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  15. Curry, Bill (January 6, 2009). "New Tory senator faces harassment complaint". Toronto: The Globe and Mail.
  16. "Controversial new senator quits aboriginal leadership job". CBC News. January 9, 2009.
  17. "Brazeau picks Senate over aboriginal advocacy". Toronto: Globe & Mail - Bill Curry. January 10, 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-13.[ dead link ]
  18. "Statement by Congress of Aboriginal Peoples National Chief Patrick Brazeau on his Appointment to the Senate of Canada, January 9, 2008". Congress of Aboriginal Peoples. January 9, 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-13.[ dead link ]
  19. Curry, Bill (January 19, 2009). "Aboriginal group led by Brazeau must return funding". The Globe and Mail.
  20. Curry, Bill (January 20, 2009). "PM stands by Brazeau as choice for Senate". The Globe and Mail.
  21. Ditchburn, Jennifer (June 26, 2012). "Senator Patrick Brazeau calls journalist a bitch after she reports his poor attendance record". National Post. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  22. CTVNews.ca Staff (2013). "Brazeau used father-in-law's address to get tax exemption | CTV News". ctvnews.ca. Retrieved February 7, 2013. Kitigan Zibi Chief
  23. "Members". parl.gc.ca. Archived from the original on June 20, 2015. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  24. Payton, Laura (2013). "Four senators subject to further spending audit as probe wraps". CBC News. Retrieved February 28, 2013. Pamela Wallin, Mike Duffy, Mac Harb and Patrick Brazeau
  25. 1 2 3 4 Curry, Bill; Mackrael, Kim (May 14, 2013). "Senator Patrick Brazeau fights order to repay thousands in expenses". Toronto: The Globe and Mail . Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  26. "Examination of Senator Brazeau's Primary and Secondary Residence Status" (PDF). Deloitte. May 2013.
  27. "Internal, Issue 8, Cover". parl.gc.ca. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  28. "Twenty-Third Report". parl.gc.ca. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  29. Radia, Andy (August 1, 2013). "RCMP alleges Senator Patrick Brazeau committed breach of trust over housing claims". Yahoo! . Retrieved August 2, 2013.
  30. Fife, Robert (August 1, 2013). "Brazeau 'never lived' in Maniwaki; expense claims constitute breach of trust: RCMP docs". CTV News . Retrieved August 2, 2013.
  31. Canada, Senate of. "Senate of Canada - Debates". Senate of Canada. Retrieved 2018-01-17.
  32. "Sen. Brazeau mocks Chief Spence, Idle No More movement". CTVNews. 31 January 2013. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  33. Hunt, Nevil (January 30, 2013). "Conservative MP and senator belittle Chief Theresa Spence, Idle No More movement". The Toronto Star. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  34. "Senator Brazeau gets 'paid' holiday but no more little 'extras'". Archived from the original on 2014-02-10. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
  35. "Maclean's "Capital Diary"". 2010-03-12. Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2013-11-08.
  36. iPolitics (2013). "Brazeau faces assault, sexual assault charges". ipolitics.ca. Retrieved February 8, 2013. Gatineau court house
  37. Lindell, Rebecca (2013). "Court documents detail allegations against Sen. Patrick Brazeau". Global News. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
  38. "Brazeau to be barred from Chamber, but will still collect senate salary". CBC News. February 2013. Archived from the original on February 10, 2013.
  39. "Patrick Brazeau pleads not guilty to assault, cocaine, threats charges". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. April 11, 2014.
  40. "Patrick Brazeau ordered to rehab center for 2 months". CBC News. Ottawa. October 14, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  41. Sparks, Riley (October 14, 2014). "Patrick Brazeau ordered to rehab for two months". The Star. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  42. 1 2 3 "Patrick Brazeau pleads guilty to simple assault, cocaine possession". CBC News. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  43. Tasker, John Paul; McGregor, Janyce (13 July 2016). "Patrick Brazeau clear to return to Senate as fraud charges dropped". CBC News . Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  44. Hannay, Chris (February 12, 2013). "The full text of the motion to force Senator Patrick Brazeau to take leave of absence". The Globe and Mail . Toronto. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  45. 1 2 3 4 MacKinnon, Leslie (November 5, 2013). "Senate votes to suspend Brazeau, Duffy, Wallin". CBC News . Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  46. 1 2 "'I'm just lucky to be here': Patrick Brazeau's quiet comeback after years of scandal". CBC Radio . 2018-09-07.
  47. 1 2 "Suspended senator Brazeau lands gig with Frank Magazine as Parliament Hill reporter". Globe and Mail. Toronto. December 2, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  48. 1 2 "Suspended senator Patrick Brazeau managing Ottawa strip club". Ottawa Sun. February 18, 2014. Retrieved February 18, 2014.
  49. Visser, Josh (30 January 2014). "Patrick Brazeau says Stephen Harper doesn't believe in Senate reform, sort of asks for a buy-out". National Post. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  50. "Suspended senator Patrick Brazeau lands new job at Ottawa strip club". CTV News, February 19, 2014.
  51. 1 2 Willing, Jon (February 19, 2014). "'A job is a job', Sen. Brazeau says of strip club gig". Ottawa Sun . Retrieved February 20, 2014.
Patrick Brazeau
Canadian Senator
from Repentigny, Quebec
Assumed office
January 8, 2009