Weeks after a local Member of Parliament was pulled over in a random check, and then charged for refusing to provide a breath sample – he's made his first court appearance.
Edmonton MP Peter Goldring said Wednesday he plans to plead not guilty to a single charge of failing to blow on a breathalyzer.
The 67-year-old was pulled over in a random check in north Edmonton after leaving a Christmas party on December 4.
He had not addressed the incident to the public since that night.
On Wednesday, Goldring broke his silence – and said he had only had one beer that night.
"If there's any time in there I might have a drink or two, my wife is my secondary driver," Goldring said. "[That] evening it was very clear I felt quite comfortable driving home."
He also mentioned the charge, and the fallout from that night has damaged his reputation and been very hard on his family.
Since that night, he removed himself from the Conservative caucus, and said he will sit as a Civil Libertarian until the case is resolved.
With files from the Canadian Press and Scott Roberts
