Jaffer's gaffes

September, 2008

In the run-up to the federal election, Rahim, the Conservative incumbent in the Edmonton-Strathcona riding, launches a radio ad accusing New Democratic leader Jack Layton of endorsing marijuana use.

“When asked about marijuana, Jack Layton called it a wonderful substance, which Canadians should be free to smoke at home or in a cafe,” the ad says.

“Edmontonians understand how difficult it is to make sure our children make the right choices, especially on serious issues like drug use.

“The Conservative Party supports drug-free schools and getting tough with drug dealers who sell illegal drugs to children. Don't let our schools go up in smoke . . . vote Conservative.”

Opponents denounce the ad as a “dirty politics” but Jaffer defends it. He insists its intention was to get parents thinking about where the NDP stands on legal issues.

At the time, the NDP web site said the party backed marijuana decriminalization but the site also emphasized the need to keep cannabis “out of the hands of minors.”

“Does he really think I would be out there campaigning to have drug dealers go to schools?” asks NDP candidate Linda Duncan. “Give me a break.”

October, 2008

On election night, the race in the riding of Edmonton-Strathcona is tight. With the results still coming in, Jaffer gives a victory speech. A few hours later, Duncan is declared the winner. Jaffer becomes the only Conservative candidate to lose a seat in Alberta and Duncan becomes the first New Democrat to win a seat in the province in almost two decades.

Instead of conceding defeat, Jaffer disappears. He re-emerges two days later revealing that he has married his fiancée, Conservative MP Helena Guergis. He says that, hours after the election, the couple wed at the home of Conservative MP Ian McClelland.

In addition to making a wedding announcement, Jaffer concedes electoral defeat. He says he was waiting for all the polling station results to be counted.

May 2009

Three weeks after declaring his intention to run in the next federal election, Jaffer announces he is leaving politics and will focus instead on finishing an MBA. Still, there is growing speculation the Conservatives have forced him out, hoping that one of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s staff members will be a candidate in the Edmonton riding.

September 2009

Ontario Provincial Police arrest Jaffer north of Toronto and charge him with cocaine possession and driving while over the legal blood-alcohol limit. Soon after, Guergis declares she’s standing by her man.

March 2010

Jaffer pleads guilty to a careless driving charge and is fined $500. The drunk driving and drug possession charges were withdrawn by the Crown, who said there was no reasonable prospect of conviction.

MADD, the national advocacy group against drunk driving, writes Ontario's attorney general seeking answers on why charges were dropped.

April 2010

Reports emerge that Jaffer told prospective business associates during a booze-soaked evening at a Toronto steak house that he could secure federal government loans and grants through his connections to the government.

A Harper spokesman denies Jaffer has had any influence with Prime Minister Stephen Harper or his inner circle of advisers