Article content

Suspended senator Patrick Brazeau will spend at least two months in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre while awaiting trial on alcohol-related charges.

Brazeau looked relaxed in a Gatineau court and even smiled slightly as he accepted the deal worked out Tuesday between defence and prosecution lawyers.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Court sends suspended senator Brazeau to rehab Back to video

Under the deal, he will stay 24 hours a day at the Domaine Orford rehab centre near Sherbrooke, Que., at least until his next court date of Dec. 8. He must follow the centre’s program, and will continue therapy — either at the centre or living on his own — for up to two years.

Crown prosecutor Sylvain Petitclerc said that while Brazeau won’t be kept in jail for allegedly breaking bail conditions, he will face “more severe conditions than he had before,” which will protect public safety.

The suspended senator, 39, must not use drugs or alcohol or have a weapon, must stay out of places that serve alcohol except for restaurants, and must stick with whatever addiction therapy or psychological treatment the Orford centre prescribes, for as long as the centre wants him to.