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Ex-MP Jaffer's court case postponed

Last Updated: Monday, October 19, 2009 | 11:24 AM ET

Rahim Jaffer, shown in his Edmonton campaign office during the 2008 election, has been charged with impaired driving and possession of cocaine.Rahim Jaffer, shown in his Edmonton campaign office during the 2008 election, has been charged with impaired driving and possession of cocaine. (CBC)

Former Conservative MP Rahim Jaffer's court case for impaired driving and cocaine possession has been put off until Nov. 16.

The ex-member of Parliament for Edmonton-Strathcona was scheduled to appear this morning in a courtroom in Orangeville, Ont., to face charges related to drunk driving and drug possession. Jaffer did not appear but was instead represented by a paralegal.

Jaffer, a resident of Angus, Ont., was arrested on Sept. 11 after police stopped a Ford Escape that had been travelling at high speed through the village of Palgrave, northwest of Toronto.

Jaffer had his licence suspended for 90 days and was charged with impaired driving and possession of cocaine by the Ontario Provincial Police.

Jaffer, who is married to Minister of State for the Status of Women Helena Guergis, was elected in his Alberta riding in 1997 as a member of the Reform Party, which later morphed into the Conservative Party. He held the riding until his surprising defeat by an NDP candidate in the 2008 election.

With files from The Canadian Press
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