Double standard?

Tue, March 9, 2010
World Business Press Online
OTTAWA


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 As for the other charges, the prosecutor Marie Balogh said they were withdrawn because there was no reasonable prospect of conviction on the more serious charges.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

 

 
 
Other News

Currencies

 

Stock Quotes

US Indices

Name
Dow Jones
S&P 500
Nasdaq

Europe Indices

Name
DAX
CAC 40
PSI 20

Asia Pacific Indices

Name
All Ordinaries
Hang Seng
KLSE
Nikkei 225
Straits Times
TSEC