JAFFER CHARGES TO BE RESOLVED MARCH 9

A lawyer representing former Alberta Conservative MP Rahim Jaffer, who
was charged with drunk driving and cocaine possession last September,
said the case should come to a resolution on March 9.

Jaffer is the husband of Simcoe-Grey Conservative MP and Minister of
State (Status of Women), Helena Guergis

Howard Rubel, appearing in Orangeville court Feb. 18 on behalf of his
client, had met with the judge earlier in the morning in advance of a
scheduled judicial pre-trial at 10:30 a.m.

Outside the courtroom, Rubel said March 9 should see the case move
toward resolution.

"We're expecting the matter will end," Rubel said. "We've had some
discussions, we'll be having a few more discussions."

Rubel could not say whether his client, who hasn't been seen at the
Orangeville court house over five scheduled appearances, would be
present on March 9.

Jaffer, 37, was MP for Edmonton-Strathcona from 1997 until NDP
candidate Linda Duncan defeated him in the 2008 election. He is
married to Simcoe-Grey MP and Minister for the Status of Women Helena
Guergis.

During the previous federal campaign, Jaffer ran radio advertisements
that supported drug-free schools and tough laws against drug dealers.

He was arrested in Caledon in September.

Jaffer was pulled over and a Caledon OPP officer noticed his breath
smelled of alcohol. An investigation found what police said was
cocaine in the car. Jaffer's licence was suspended for 90 days.