Jaffer pleads to careless driving; Crown drops all other charges

Former M.P. Rahim Jaffer dodged serious penalties and probably jail time when the crown attorney dropped most of the charges against him earlier today provided he plead guilty to careless driving.

As recently as yesterday Rahim Jaffer, 38, a one-time anti-drug crusader who was formerly a Conservative Member of Parliament in Canada pleaded guilty to careless driving Tuesday, March 9 in an Orangeville, ON courtroom. The deal that had him plead guilty saw the crown withdraw charges of cocaine possession and excessive blood alcohol while driving. His only penalty: He paid a $500 fine. The former Edmonton-area MP was arrested on September 10, 2009 in Palgrave, Ont., about 60 kilometers north of Toronto. Jaffer was stopped in his Ford Explorer when Ontario Provincial Police clocked him driving at 93 kph in a 50 kph zone. Admitting to police that he had had two beers he was administered a breathalyser test that he failed. A subsequent police search of his person and his vehicle also revealed cocaine. Outside the court speaking to the media, Jaffer chose his words very carefully, "“I'm sorry. I know this was a serious matter, I know I should have been more careful and I took full responsibility for my careless driving.” Various critics of the former-MPs 'slap on the wrist were quick to respond. In Question Period Winnipeg Liberal MP Anita Neville asked, “The Conservatives are conspicuously silent only when the law is being flouted by one of their own. ... Why the double standard?” Andrew Murie, executive director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) also had questions, "We want to know what kind of deal was made and why they didn't proceed on the evidence." Jaffer is married to federal Tory cabinet minister Helena Guergis, the Minister of State for Status of Women.