Updated: Tue Mar. 09 2010 22:10:08

ctvedmonton.ca

Former Conservative MP Rahim Jaffer's guilty verdict in an Ontario courtroom has ignited an outrage across Canada. Many are now questioning why the charges of cocaine possession and drunk driving were dropped in the case.

Jaffer pleaded guilty to careless driving and received a $500 fine, and no criminal record.

The 38-year-old was charged last September with cocaine possession and drunk driving after being stopped by police for speeding in Palgrave, Ont., located about 60 kilometres north of Toronto.

Jaffer spoke to media outside of court apologizing for the incident.

"I should have been more careful. I'm sorry. I know this is a serious matter," he said. "Once again I apologize for that and I take full responsibility for my careless driving."

But now, some are saying the former Edmonton-area MP received special consideration and got off easy after the more serious charges were withdrawn.

"You've got to wonder if it was a different situation, a different person -- maybe there wouldn't be the same outcome," said Gillian Phillips with MADD Canada's Edmonton and area chapter. 

But even the judge's comments in the case added fuel to the list of theories of why the Crown withdrew the charges.

Judge Doug Maund, told Jaffer in court, "I'm sure you can recognize a break when you see one."

Jaffer's lawyer attempted to offer an explanation to media.

"The charges of driving over the legal limit and possession of any illegal substance has always been refuted and I think the withdrawal of those charges vindicates that refutation," said Howard Rubel. 

Still, Jaffer has received little sympathy from those in his former riding in Strathcona.

"Probably the fine he got was due to the privilege because he was an MP and I don't think it's fair to the rest of us," said resident Phyllis Harlton.

Jaffer was MP for the riding of Edmonton-Strathcona before a surprise defeat to NDP's Linda Duncan in a 2008 election.

In 2008, Jaffer ran ads on a local radio station accusing Jack Layton and the NDP of supporting the legalization of marijuana. In the ad Jaffer said, "Edmontonians understand how difficult it is to make sure our children make the right choices especially on serious issues like drug use."

Jaffer faced another scandal back in 2001 when his executive assistant impersonated him in a national radio interview. The assistant resigned shortly after the interview and said his boss had no knowledge of the incident.

Jaffer's wife is Tory MP Helena Geurgis who represents the riding of Simcoe-Grey.

Jaffer has 30 days to pay the $500 fine.

With files from Serena Mah and CTV.ca

Comments are now closed for this story

Rick Matishak
I can't even put words to my immense frustration with the farce known as our legal system...and Jaffer walks with head held high - how smug can he get!

Tom - Calgary
Well if this is what the court accepts than so be it.
This has just set the bar for people who are accused of similar actions.
After all, how can the court have different punishments for others?

Barry
How could a normal citizen get the same light sentence. I think MADD should be all over this one.

Al C
I smell something fishy and why were the other chargers dropped, there is a lot of odor coming from this.

Roi cranfield
What respect for the law does a potential criminal have, when the law makers and enforcers get off with little consequence to them? THIS IS A JOKE. A five hundred dollar fine. The penalty for a person in a position of trust, commiting a crime should be higher than the average not dispicably lower.

Laurie
Oh, just another neocon politician preaching one thing while practicing another, and getting away with it. Nothing new here....

Joe
I feel that this is one of the worst cases in injustice. Please let the courts decide to appeal this ridiculous sentence.

Jim Szabo
Wondering how much our justice system as a whole is concerned about the long term implications of rulings like this.

Laz
Slap-on-the-wrist sentences like this make me wish we could elect our judges.

Jimmy
I'm a Conservative supporter, and I'm disgusted with this. They say the charges were dropped because there was little chance of a conviction. It seems pretty easy to me. If he had cocaine, he's guilty of cocaine possession. If he blew over the limit on a breathalyzer, he's guilty of drunk driving. How could that be at all difficult to prove?

If the problem is really just the small chance of conviction, give it a try anyway. Charge him with speeding, careless driving, drunk driving, and cocaine possession. At least one, and hopefully more, should be able to stick.

Karen
This is no surprise as it happens over and over again no matter who it is or what kind of background or income they come from. I have seen this many times in a small community and it is pathetic how they get away with a drunk driving charge at any time. We should all be outraged at how easy it is to get an impaired charge dropped. It is our justice system that needs repair and shame on those that have beat an impaired charge thinking they have gotten away with drinking and driving!!

Jason
I personally would have preferred the Crown to go ahead, even with a less than ideal chance of getting a conviction. It would have been the best publicity that our society could have had in fighting these crimes and also in showing that the law applies to all.

Ash_N
What a joke - This government thinks we are all stupid!

joe
This guy is getting away with something no other ordinary citizen would. The conservative party should think twice about him and his wife. I'm sure voters will in the next election.

MisterC
This proves beyond a doubt that our legal and political systems have fallen to the level of a Banana Republic. You can bet your bottom dollar that had an ordinary Canadian citizen been arrested and charged with these offences under the criminal code that they would not be walking with a $500 fine and the more serious charges dropped. This is a an outrage and an investigation must be initiated.

Alan
What is the point of being an ex-MP and being married to a currently sitting MP if you cannot get special treatment related to drug possession and speeding charges?

Norm
No surprise here, it's the power people looking after their own. It's always been that way and it will always be that way until we the people take back control of our country. It's time to let the political types know they work for us and answer to us, not the other way around.

Duane
Outrageous!

Bill
Absolute nonsense letting Rahim Jaffer off with a slap on the wrist. If it was you or I we would be in jail right now. This is absolutely unacceptable and it needs to be fixed.

dc
It is as if the Crown is not even trying anymore if the criminal hires an expensive lawyer. We should contact the Attorney General of Ontario and let him know how serious drinking and driving is (never mind Cocaine possession). In my opinion, the Crown's "deal" was a joke.

Mike
I have met Mr. Jaffer and know him to be a good and gentle man. He has been humiliated and fined and that is enough. The idea that who a person is should not be taken into consideration runs against the essence of sentencing in our justice system. Good for a reasonable judge and it's too bad the mob from MADD care more for self promotion than reason.

Glen Parrish
Why are people so surprised? Our justice system is two tiered- one for the poor and unconnected, and one for the wealthy and connected.

Joanne Hawman
Every time one of these politicians get away with murder, our justice system gets watered down. Other than a politician, who would have received the sentence that this man did? Absolutely shameful!!!