Federal Justice Minister Rob Nicholson says "people want to know as much as possible" when it comes to the court system, in a discussion about former MP Rahim Jaffer's recent plea bargain on a careless driving charge.
"It's not my job as federal attorney general to put pressure on provincial crowns attorney. But if you're asking me in general about the public knowing, I find that it's always helpful," Nicholson told CTV's Question Period on Sunday from Niagara Falls.
"This is a provincial police investigation, handled in a provincial court by a provincial Crown attorney," he added.
"That being said, I understand in a general context people want to know as much as possible, they want to have confidence in the criminal justice system … I'm all for allowing the public to know as much as possible on all issues."
The federal government came under fire last Tuesday after Jaffer, a former Conservative MP from Edmonton, pleaded guilty to careless driving and sentenced to a $500 fine. Cocaine possession and drunk driving charges were withdrawn.
Jaffer, 38, was charged last September with cocaine possession and impaired driving after being stopped by police officers for speeding in Palgrave, Ont., about 60 kilometres north of Toronto.
According to an agreed statement of facts, Jaffer was pulled over driving 93 km/h in a 50 km/h zone on Sept. 10.
The court heard that Jaffer told police that he drank two beers earlier that evening. He was driving to his home in Angus, Ont., in his Ford Escape when he was pulled over by police, failed a breathalyzer test and was arrested.
Prosecutor Marie Balogh told court there was no reasonable possibility of conviction on the two charges -- including cocaine possession -- because there were "significant legal issues" impeding the case.
Outside court, Jaffer apologized for the incident and said he took "full responsibility for my careless driving."
Opposition MPs have suggested Jaffer, who is married Helena Guergis, a junior cabinet minister in the Stephen Harper government, received preferential treatment.
Liberal strategist Warren Kinsella told Question Period the public has a right to know how Jaffer's plea deal was reached.
"Lots of Conservatives are the people saying that the air needs to be cleared on this and they're calling on Rahim Jaffer in particular to say how this came about, how did this happen," Kinsella said. "Because it looks to them, and it looks to a lot of Canadians, like there is one set of rules for people like Rahim and there's another set of rules for the rest of us."
Former Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory countered that while Jaffer should do more to explain his behaviour on the night in question, it's the Ontario attorney general's office that must explain how the case was resolved.
"The explanation that's required for the public is one from the attorney general about why the charge was withdrawn," Tory told Question Period.
