JUSTICE REPORTER

Charges of cocaine possession and drunk driving against former Alberta Conservative MP Rahim Jaffer are likely to be resolved through a plea bargain in early March.

At a brief hearing last week, the Ontario Court of Justice noted that the case will be resolved the next time it is in court. Typically, when a case is adjourned to a future date for resolution, it means Crown and defence have agreed on a plea bargain.

Mr. Jaffer's lawyer, Howard Rubel, said that the next court date for the case is March 9. However, Mr. Rubel declined to discuss what will happen.

The 37-year-old politician, who is married to federal Tory cabinet minister Helena Guergis, was arrested and charged on Sept. 14, 2009, in Palgrave, Ont., near Orangeville.

Mr. Jaffer represented the riding of Edmonton-Strathcona from 1997 until he was defeated in the 2008 election. The charges were particularly embarrassing since he had approved campaign ads supporting drug-free schools and getting tough with dealers.

When he was pulled over, a patrol officer noticed that his breath smelled of alcohol, an Ontario Provincial Police release said.. An investigation followed and Mr. Jaffer's licence was suspended for 90 days.

He was staying in Angus, Ont., in his wife's Southern Ontario riding of Simcoe-Grey, when he was pulled over.