Last September, the former Alberta Conservative MP Rahim Jaffer, 38, was charged with cocaine possession and drunk drinking after being stopped by police officers for speeding in Palgrave, Ont., about 60 kilometers north of Toronto. He was pleaded guilty to careless driving. He apologized again: "I should have been more careful. I'm sorry." As for the other charges, the prosecutor Marie Balogh said they were withdrawn because there was no reasonable prospect of conviction on the more serious charges.

How is it possible that he walked out of an Ontario court room with a $500 fine for careless driving and no criminal record? The federal conservative government did not want to comment the issue or get involved with it (Rahim Jaffer now works for a renewable energy business, that he co-founded, and does not want to return to politics again). However, CTV and CBC brought public opinions on the issue. "Many feel there is a double standard and the general perception is that the 'tough on crime' Tories have looked after one of their own", CTV reported. Many people suggested that the former politician received special consideration and got off easy. Some members of opposition are considering whether a public inquiry into Jaffer's case should be held.

"There would never be any political interference with any prosecution in this country", the Justice Minister said on Tuesday during Question Period in House of Commons and asked Liberals for an apology.

Miroslava Hospodarova