Brazeau likely joining shunned senators list
OTTAWA - Sen. Patrick Brazeau has already made history for being one of the youngest people ever appointed to the upper chamber.
If the Senate agrees Tuesday to force him to take a leave of absence, he'll make history again in joining another exclusive club: senators who have shunned by their peers.
No one who's been forced to take a break from the Senate has ended up being expelled; those who have come close usually pre-empt that step by resigning first.
The choice to resign comes with a benefit — senators who step down voluntarily get to keep their pension, unlike those who are expelled.
The last senator to face the risk of being expelled was Raymond Lavigne, who is currently appealing his sentence for fraud and breach of trust.
He resigned 10 days after being convicted, allowing him to keep his pension.
