Law & Order? — Maybe
| 3/10/2010 | Posted by Patti under Canadian News, Canadian Politics |
The optics on the Rahmm Jaffer decision yesterday is just plain bad.
A former Conservative federal member of parliament, married to a current Conservative Cabinet minister is charged last fall with impaired driving and possession of cocaine. He comes before a judge who was appointed by the current federal Finance Minister when he was the provincial Attorney General. He gets off with what amounts to a slap on the wrist by pleading guilty to a dangerous driving charge and receiving a $500 fine.
The Crown gave no explanation for the deal they struck other than saying they had no reasonable chance of conviction. For just about any other, average Canadian, blowing over on the breathalyser would result in a conviction. These days even blowing .05 results in an immediate license suspension which doesn’t even get you a day in court.
As for the cocaine possession charge, if he wasn’t in the possession of cocaine then why didn’t the Crown just exonerate him and admit the police’s error? Maybe because that would be just out and out lying instead of just deception.
Yes, I know, he was convicted in provincial court and all those elected officials involved directly or indirectly are all federal types. If you believe that feds don’t get favours from officials at other levels of government, have I got some smoke and mirrors you need to buy.
The last time I looked, drug possession is a federal crime. Yes, feds as in those ‘law and order’ Conservatives who would jail someone for possessing one marijuana plant but can let a provincial Crown drop a cocaine possession charge.
Not being a drug user myself, I’m prone to get this wrong but is cocaine not considered a harder drug than pot? OH, just for citizens who don’t have the right connections and deep pockets.
The Conservatives don’t have a corner on situations smelling really bad.. doesn’t make it okay when they do though.
So, did Jaffer get political relief or is he just a poor misunderstood fellow?
Does anyone know if Jaffer actually warned the police officer arresting him that she didn't know who she was dealing with? I read it in a report back in Sept. and now can not find it. If you or anyone know where I might find this article i would appreciate it.
While it wouldn't surprise me if he had, I don't recall seeing that at the time of his arrest.
[...] dismissal of Helena Guergis from the Conservative cabinet and caucus. I blogged about the really big break her husband, former Conservative MP Rahim Jaffer, received after being charged not only with impaired driving [...]
[...] dismissal of Helena Guergis from the Conservative cabinet and caucus. I blogged about the really big break her husband, former Conservative MP Rahim Jaffer, received after being charged not only with impaired driving [...]