Weeks after charges against a local Member of Parliament surfaced for refusing to give a breathalyzer sample to police, a date has been set for his court appearance.
CTV News has learned Edmonton-East MP Peter Goldring has been scheduled to appear in court on January 25 in the Case Management Office, which is considered to be a court appearance.
Goldring was charged after he reportedly refused to blow into a breathalyzer during a traffic stop on 95 Street and 153 Avenue at 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 4.
Edmonton Police confirmed a day later he faced one count of refusing to blow into a breathalyzer under section 254(5) under the Criminal Code of Canada.
The charge brings a 24-hour license suspension, followed by a 21-day grace period, then a three month license suspension and a mandatory court appearance.
If he's convicted of the charge, he could face a minimum $1,000 fine and up to five years behind bars – plus possible further driving restrictions.
When the story came to light; Goldring withdrew from the Conservative caucus and now sits in Parliament as an independent MP.
Some reports suggested hours before he was pulled over, Goldring publicly challenged MLA Thomas Lukaszuk about proposed tougher provincial drinking and driving legislation.
Both were in attendance at the Edmonton East Conservative's 13th Annual Christmas Party that night.
If Goldring enters a guilty plea in his court appearance, the case will move to a courtroom for sentencing.
Should he enter a not-guilty plea, a date will be set for his next appearance.
