TORONTO Helena Guergis, who recently lost her job as Canada's junior cabinet minister because of alleged wrongdoings of her husband Rahim Jaffer, has now been barred from contesting election on ruling Conservative party ticket.

The party's National Council on Thursday removed her name as its official candidate for Simcoe-Grey because of allegations levelled against her and Rahim Jaffer, a former Conservative MP.

Jaffer denied allegations and said the charge that he was engaged in illegal lobbying were “without any basis” and motivated by political opportunism of opposition MPs.

In testimony to a parliamentary committee, he said his company, Green Power Generation Corp, had not done any lobbying on Parliament Hill and had not secured any grants or funding from the federal government.

Jaffer was the first Muslim elected to the Canadian Parliament in 1997 at the age of 25. He remained an MP till his defeat in 2008.

On Oct 15, 2008, he married his former caucus colleague Helena, by then a Cabinet minister. This was her second marriage.

The embattled Guergis said she was being treated unfairly by her party and would appeal its decision to drop her from the roster of candidates.

In a statement released on Thursday, she said it was not fair for the Conservative party to convict her on allegations that had not been proved.

Last month, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that Guergis was stepping down from the cabinet after 'serious allegations' had been raised about her conduct.

Opinion

Editorial

China security ties
Updated 14 Nov, 2024

China security ties

If China's security concerns aren't addressed satisfactorily, it may affect bilateral ties. CT cooperation should be pursued instead of having foreign forces here.
Steep price
14 Nov, 2024

Steep price

THE Hindu Kush-Himalayan region is in big trouble. A new study unveiled at the ongoing COP29 reveals that if high...
A high-cost plan
14 Nov, 2024

A high-cost plan

THE government has approved an expensive plan for FBR in the hope of tackling its deep-seated inefficiencies. The...
United stance
Updated 13 Nov, 2024

United stance

It would've been better if the OIC-Arab League summit had announced practical measures to punish Israel.
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

Unusual IMF visit shows the lender will closely watch implementation of programme goals to prevent it from derailing.
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

Bara’s brave women have proven that with the right support, societal barriers can be overcome.