Liberal candidate was convicted of drunk driving

The federal Liberal candidate for Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission was found guilty of drunk driving in 2005, a party spokesman confirmed Wednesday.

Mandeep Bhuller was convicted of impaired driving on March 29, 2005, after being stopped by police in November 2003. He fought the charge in court, though he was ultimately found guilty.

Communications director Brad Zubyk said Bhuller disclosed the conviction during the party’s candidate selection process.

He said Bhuller still shows remorse and contrition for the incident.

“He’s a very sincere person that made a mistake eight years ago,” he said. “This is somebody dealing with a disability we can’t even imagine who continues to do a ton of community service.”

Bhuller suffers from spina bifida and uses a wheelchair.

Zubyk said Bhuller has used the experience as a teaching tool in his volunteer work with youths.

As to whether the issue will matter to the election campaign, Zubyk said that’s up to voters.

“They’re going to have to consider his years of community service against this,” he said.

The 2005 conviction cost Bhuller his license for one year. He was also fined $800.