View source for Ruby Dhalla

{{Short description|Canadian politician (born 1974)}}
{{pp-move}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = February 2025}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name        = Ruby Dhalla
| image       = Dr. Ruby Dhalla.jpg
| imagesize   = 
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|1974|2|18|mf=y}}
| birth_place = [[Winnipeg]], [[Manitoba]], Canada
| death_date  = 
| death_place = 
| profession  = [[Chiropractor]]
| party       = [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]]
| residence   = [[Mississauga]], [[Ontario]], Canada
| riding      = [[Brampton—Springdale (federal electoral district)|Brampton—Springdale]]
| parliament  = Canadian
| term_start  = October 4, 2004
| term_end    = March 26, 2011
| predecessor = [[Sarkis Assadourian]]
| successor   = [[Parm Gill]]
| alma_mater  = [[University of Winnipeg]] ([[BSc]])<br />[[Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College]] ([[Doctor of Chiropractic|DC]])
| website     = [https://www.rubyforpm.ca/ Website]
| caption     = Dhalla in 2012
}}
'''Ruby Dhalla''' (born February 18, 1974) is a [[Canadians|Canadian]] businesswoman and politician. She served as the [[Member of Parliament (Canada)|Member of Parliament]] for [[Brampton—Springdale (federal electoral district)|Brampton—Springdale]] in the [[House of Commons of Canada]] from 2004 to 2011 as a member of the [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal Party]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/us-canada-news/Canada-MP-lands-in-Badal-to-celebrate-Lohri/articleshow/7277528.cms|title=Canada MP lands in Badal to celebrate Lohri - Times of India|author=|date=13 January 2011|website=The Times of India|access-date=2 May 2019}}</ref> Dhalla and [[British Columbia]] [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative]] MP [[Nina Grewal]] were the first [[Sikh]] women to serve in the [[House of Commons of Canada]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Canada believes in a united India, says its Sikh woman ex-MP Ruby Dhalla|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/canada-believes-in-a-united-india-says-its-sikh-woman-mp-ruby-dhalla/story-bFEjpheyGAoIBlHBwc1ZTM.html|date=2018-02-25|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2020-05-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - The Tribune Lifestyle|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140210/ttlife1.htm|website=www.tribuneindia.com|access-date=2020-05-24}}</ref>

She was defeated by [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative]] [[Parm Gill]] in the [[2011 Canadian federal election|2011 federal election]]. On January 22, 2025, she announced her candidacy in the [[2025 Liberal Party of Canada leadership election]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Former MP Ruby Dhalla planning to enter Liberal leadership race |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/video/2025/01/22/former-mp-ruby-dhalla-planning-to-enter-liberal-leadership-race/ |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=CTV News |language=en}}</ref> Dhalla was disqualified on February 21, 2025. Ruby Dhalla was removed from Liberal leadership race after being accused of violating the Canada Elections Act, as well as "other election finance matters, non-disclosure of material facts and inaccurate financial reporting” including failing to disclose the involvement of a non-Canadian citizen in her campaign which could amount to foreign interference during an election.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Ruby Dhalla disqualified from Liberal leadership race|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/liberal-leadership/article/ruby-dhalla-disqualified-from-liberal-leadership-race/ |access-date=February 21, 2025 |website=[[CBC News]]}}</ref>

==Early life==
Dhalla was born in [[Winnipeg]], [[Manitoba]]. She first attracted international attention in 1984, when she was ten years old and living in Winnipeg's north end. After Indian soldiers took part in [[Operation Bluestar|military action]] at the [[Golden Temple, Amritsar|Golden Temple in Amritsar]], Dhalla wrote a letter to [[Indira Gandhi]], then Prime Minister of India, advocating for peace and justice.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sikhmuseum.com/bluestar/newsreports/840617_1.html|title=Operation Blue Star 1984 Golden Temple Attack Sikhs|author=|date=|website=www.sikhmuseum.com|access-date=2 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Extremists hurting all Sikhs, Gandhi writes Canadian girl |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-united-press-intern/164180455/ |work=The Arizona Republic |agency=United Press International |date=17 June 1984 |location=Phoenix AZ |page=4 |format=Newspapers.com}}</ref> 

Dhalla attended [[McMaster University]] for her first year of university on a full scholarship. She then resumed studies at the [[University of Winnipeg]] and received a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in [[biochemistry]], with a minor in [[political science]], in 1995. She instead moved to [[Toronto]] in the same year, and graduated as a [[Doctor of Chiropractic]] from the [[Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College]] in 1999. Upon graduating she started a chain of private multidisciplinary healthcare clinics in the Greater Toronto Area.

Dhalla has also pursued a career in acting, working in India for six months and playing a  role in ''[[Kyon? Kis Liye?]]'' (''Why? and for Whom?''), a [[Bollywood]]-inspired [[Hindi]]-language film shot in [[Hamilton, Ontario]].<ref>Randall King, "Screen Gem", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 30 May 2003, D1; "Liberal Ruby Dhalla trying to block release of movie in which she co-starred", ''Canadian Press'', 12 March 2009, 6:11 am. Dhalla later tried to block the DVD release of ''Kyon? Kis Liye?'' in 2009, arguing that publicity photos and posters from the movie had been doctored by putting her face on someone else's body. She also argued that the film was being reissued to exploit her status as an elected politician. Producer Charanjit "Chico" Sihra has said that no images were doctored and that there is no unsuitable content in the movie. See Mark McNeil, "Bollywood poster body not me: MP", ''Hamilton Spectator'', 13 March 2009, A5.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/getahead/slide-show/slide-show-1-glamour-10-hottest-politicians-in-india-and-world/20110729.htm|title=10 HOTTEST female politicians in India and the world!|author=|date=|website=Rediff|access-date=2 May 2019}}</ref>

==Political career==
Dhalla was politically active from a young age and volunteered for Winnipeg Liberal candidate [[David Walker (Canadian politician)|David Walker]] in the [[1988 Canadian federal election|1988 federal election]], and later became a prominent member of the Manitoba [[Young Liberals (Canada)|Young Liberals]].<ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/canadavotes2004/riding/114/ Canada Votes 2004, ''Canadian Broadcasting Corporation'', Brampton—Springdale riding profile].</ref>  Dhalla worked on numerous political campaigns, co-chairing different election committees and volunteering in many provincial and federal political campaigns. In 1998, she was elected as youth representative the Liberal Party of Canada's standing committee on multiculturalism at the annual policy convention.<ref>"Young Liberals elevate Manitoban", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 1 April 1998, A4.</ref> Dhalla was elected as a delegate to the [[1990 Liberal Party of Canada leadership election|1990 Liberal Leadership Convention]] in Calgary and was one of the first Young Liberals in Manitoba to support [[Paul Martin]]. Dhalla again supported Martin's bid to become [[2003 Liberal Party of Canada leadership election|Liberal Party leader in 2003]].<ref>Jim Brown, "BC-Martin-Democracy, Bgt", ''Canadian Press'', 9 May 2004, 16:43 report.</ref>

===Member of Parliament===
====In government (2004–2006)====

In May 2004, Prime Minister Paul Martin nominated Dhalla as the Liberal candidate for [[Brampton—Springdale (federal electoral district)|Brampton—Springdale]] in the [[2004 Canadian federal election|2004 federal election]]. This decision was opposed by the local Liberal Party riding executive, who had favoured [[Andrew Kania]] for the nomination.<ref>{{cite news |title=Would-be Liberal candidates cry foul |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/waterloo-region-record-canadian-press/164181102/ |work=The Record |agency=The Canadian Press |date=10 May 2004 |location=Kitchener ON |page=4 |format=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The deputy campaign director for the Liberal Party defended Dhalla's selection, describing her as a [[star candidate]] who would be beneficial to the party. Even though the Liberal Party was reduced to a minority government Dhalla was elected by a comfortable margin on June 28, 2004.{{Citation needed|date=April 2019}}

Dhalla was a prominent organizer of the "Canada for Asia" [[benefit concert]] in January 2005, along with [[Senate of Canada|Senator]] [[Jerry Grafstein]] and singer [[Tom Cochrane]].  The event raised money for victims of the previous month's [[tsunami]] disaster in southeast Asia.<ref>Randall King, "MP plans relief concert", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 12 January 2005, D10.</ref> She travelled with the Prime Minister to Sri Lanka and India in 2005 on a trade mission visit to promote trade between both nations. In October 2005, Dhalla organized a relief effort for victims of an earthquake in [[Pakistan]].<ref>"Indo-Canadian MP seeks quake relief", ''Hindustan Times'', 21 October 2005, page number not listed.</ref> In parliament Dhalla introduced her first private members bill to create a secretariat for foreign credentials recognition. This bill was passed in the House of Commons thus assisting recent Canadian immigrants in gaining professional employment.<ref>Ishani Duttagupta, "New Canada govt may serve Indian immigrants better", ''Economic Times'' (English edition), 25 January 2006.</ref>

Dhalla voted in favour of Canada's [[Same-sex marriage in Canada|same-sex marriage]] legislation in 2005, noting to the media that while it was in opposition to her beliefs, it was right under the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]].<ref name="Heba Aly 2005">{{cite news |last1=Aly |first1=Heba |author1-link=Heba Aly (journalist) |title=Tories say stand on gay marriage tightens race in Brampton |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/tories-say-stand-on-gay-marriage-tightens-race-in-brampton/article18256171/ |work=[[The Globe and Mail]] |date=23 December 2005 |page=A15}}</ref>

In late 2005, the Liberal government was defeated by a [[motion of no confidence]], and [[2006 Canadian federal election|a new election]] was called for early 2006. Dhalla officially launched her re-election campaign in early December, with Bollywood actor [[Arjun Rampal]] as a star attendee.<ref>"Arjun Rampal kick-starts Canadian MP's campaign", ''Hindustan Times'' (English edition), 8 December 2005.</ref>  Conservative candidate Sam Hundal attempted to use same-sex marriage as a [[wedge issue]] among recent immigrant voters, but was unsuccessful.<ref name="Heba Aly 2005"/>  Dhalla was easily re-elected, while the Conservatives won a minority government at the national level.

====In opposition (2006–2011)====

After the election, Dhalla was appointed as the Liberal Health Critic in the [[Official Opposition]]. In June 2006, she criticized [[Minister of Health (Canada)|Health Minister]] [[Tony Clement]] over a possible [[conflict of interest]] relating to his ownership of shares in Prudential Chem Inc.<ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Neill |first1=Juliet |title=Clement under fire from Grit critic |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ottawa-citizen-juliet-oneill-clem/164181657/ |work=The Ottawa Citizen |date=20 June 2006 |location=Ottawa ON |page=5 |format=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

In June 2006, it came to light that Conservatives had tried to convince Dhalla to [[cross the floor]] and join the party, as part of a campaign to win the support of youth, women and ethnic voters. She turned down the offer, saying that the Conservatives do not represent her values.<ref>John Ivison and Peter O'Neil, "Indo-Canadian Liberal MP invited to join Tory ranks", ''Vancouver Sun'', 16 June 2006, A6.</ref>  She later criticized [[Wajid Khan (Canadian politician)|Wajid Khan]] for crossing from the Liberals to the Conservatives.<ref>Richard Brennan, "Taxpayers have right to see Khan's report, critics argue", ''Toronto Star'', 15 January 2007, A10.</ref> Khan would go on to lose re-election in [[2008 Canadian federal election|2008]].

Paul Martin resigned as Liberal leader after his party's defeat in the 2006 election.  Eventually Dhalla gave her support to [[Michael Ignatieff]] and was announced as the Ignatieff Leadership Campaign's national co-chair, alongside Senator [[David Smith (Canadian Senator)|David Smith]] and Member of Parliament [[Denis Coderre]]. Ignatieff was defeated by [[Stéphane Dion]] on the final ballot of the 2006 Liberal leadership convention.

Dion announced his new [[shadow cabinet]] in January 2007, and reassigned Dhalla from Health to Social Development.<ref>Juliet O'Neill, "47 Liberals to shadow 30 Tories", ''National Post'', 19 January 2007, A4.</ref> She criticized the Conservatives for cancelling the Martin government's national day-care plan, and spoke against the prospect of large, for-profit foreign firms taking over the industry.<ref>Tonda MacCharles, "Opposition parties unite to fight big-box daycare", ''Toronto Star'', 1 November 2007, A1; Laurie Monsebraaten, "Canada letting kids down, report says", ''Toronto Star'', 20 November 2007, A4.</ref>  She also wrote an opinion piece for the ''[[Toronto Star]]'' newspaper in early 2008, calling for developed countries to invest the necessary resources to target [[tuberculosis]] in the [[global south]].<ref>Ruby Dhalla, "It's time for action; Tuberculosis is easy to cure but the lack of resources permits epidemic to spread", ''Toronto Star'', 26 March 2008, A6.</ref> In Parliament Dhalla founded the HAT (HIV, Aids, Tuberculosis) caucus for parliamentarians of all political parties to bring greater awareness on the issues.

Dhalla opposed the Conservative government's changes to Canada's immigration laws in early 2008, wherein the government set an annual limit on the number of cases to be heard and gave the [[Minister of Citizenship and Immigration (Canada)|Immigration Minister]] the discretion to fast-track some applicants. Dhalla suggested that the Conservatives would show favouritism to immigrants from certain communities. She was quoted as saying, "I think they're really picking and choosing for political purposes which communities they want to work with, and that is why there is a fear among these communities that the immigration laws being proposed right now are going to have an impact on them."<ref>Susan Delacourt, "Opposition raises discrimination fears; But immigration plan clears one challenge", ''Toronto Star'', 10 April 2008, A21; [[David Akin]], "Tory budget legislation passes with help from Grits", ''Ottawa Citizen'', 10 June 2008, A1. The Liberals as a whole decided not to bring down Harper's minority government on this bill; Dhalla was one of a number of Liberal MPs who voted in opposition.</ref> Dhalla also was successful in lobbying the government to allow Sikhs whose last name is Singh or Kaur to not have to attach an additional last name to immigrate to Canada.<ref>{{cite news |title=Immigration: Singh, Kaur ban denounced |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/capital-news-daily-torstar-immigration/164182589/ |work=Capital News Daily |agency=Torstar |date=27 July 2007 |location=Kelowna BC |page=A3 |format=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

Dhalla issued a [[Private Member's Bill]] in April 2008, calling on the federal government to apologize for the 1914 [[Komagata Maru incident]], in which a ship with 376 mostly Sikh immigrants was denied access to Canada. The bill was unanimously passed the following month.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bolan |first1=Kim |title=Apology on the way for Indo-Canadians |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-vancouver-sun-kim-bolan-apology-on/164182803/ |work=The Vancouver Sun |date=12 May 2008 |location=Vancouver BC |page=13 |format=Newspapers.com}} {{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Joanna |title=Apologies for past wrongs abound |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star-joanna-smith-apologie/164182944/ |work=The Toronto Star |date=20 May 2008 |location=Toronto ON |page=13 |format=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

In 2008, Dhalla faced a difficult re-election and ultimately defeated Conservative candidate Parm Gill by a small margin amid a provincial swing from the Liberals to Conservatives. This contest was marked with the opponent's (Parm Gill's) brother being charged with the slashing of Dhalla's signs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Boyle |first1=Theresa |title=Bitter battle between Dhalla and Gill |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/439496541 |work=The Globe and Mail |date=15 October 2008 |location=Toronto ON |page=U10 |id={{ProQuest|439496541}} |format=ProQuest}}</ref> In the 2008 election the Conservatives were re-elected to a second minority government on the national level. Shortly after the election, a Toronto man was charged with making death threats and stalking Dhalla.<ref>{{cite news |title=Toronto: Man arrested after threat against MP |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-vancouver-sun-toronto-man-arrested/164183315/ |work=The Vancouver Sun |date=21 October 2008 |location=Vancouver BC |page=20 |format=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

In Parliament, Dhalla continued to raise issues affecting women, minorities and youth and worked to promote trade between Canada and emerging economies.

Stéphane Dion stepped down as Liberal leader after a very poor showing in the 2008 federal election. Ignatieff was duly acclaimed as interim leader in January 2009, and was officially confirmed as party leader later in the year.

In January 2009, Ignatieff appointed Dhalla as the Liberal critic for Youth and Multiculturalism.<ref>"No place for Dion on Ignatieff's front bench", ''National Post'', 23 January 2009.</ref>

''[[The Globe and Mail]]'' columnist Margaret Wente has described Dhalla as unpopular among her colleagues in the Liberal parliamentary caucus, where she is viewed as a "high maintenance" self-promoter. In a survey of parliamentary staffers from the ''Hill Times'', Dhalla was voted the worst MP to work for, and the pollsters suggested that she had "more [staff] turnover than anyone on the hill".

Dhalla was also said to be more interested in the limelight than in doing parliamentary work, with a former caucus colleague saying "It's everything starting with making sure she's in every photo-op with the leader. I often hear of events where she calls the organizers and says 'I want to speak,' even though she wasn't invited", and she showed up at the 2009 Liberal convention in a white stretch limo. When the caregivers' controversy broke out, one MP was quoted as saying "I don't get the sense that too many people are feeling all that sorry for her".<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090511.wcowent12/BNStory/specialComment/home| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090515185612/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090511.wcowent12/BNStory/specialComment/home| archive-date = 2009-05-15| title = globeandmail.com: The many woes of Ruby Dhalla| website = [[The Globe and Mail]]}}</ref><ref name="groups.google.com">{{cite web|url=https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/edm.general/wls5ywrZNNI|title=Google Groups|author=|date=|website=groups.Google.com|access-date=2 May 2019}}</ref>

===Controversies ===
In 2007, an investigation was launched by Service Canada investigators regarding allegations Dhalla made in the process of her decision to terminate the employment of a Parliamentary staffer. The investigation noted that while the staffer was on medical leave, Dhalla claimed the staffer was not actually ill, however the investigation concluded that in spite of multiple requests for evidence to substantiate her claims, the investigator was given no evidence from Dhalla, and considerable evidence to the contrary had been presented.  This led the investigator to formally warn Dhalla that she would be personally responsible for any legal costs incurred as a result of the wrongful termination.  A few weeks prior, while speaking in her role as the Liberal Party's official Opposition Critic for Service Canada, Dhalla chastised the Conservative government's policies at a Parliamentary committee meeting reviewing the employment insurance system — specifically speaking about weaknesses being exploited by employers who wrongfully terminate employees.

Dhalla has tried to block the release of a DVD of a [[Bollywood]] movie she starred in before she was elected to Parliament.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090415135736/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090411/Dhalla_DVD_090411/20090411?hub=Canada CTV, "Liberal MP Dhalla in 'Bollywood' DVD flap", ''CTV'', 11 April 2009.]</ref>  Dhalla has claimed that images of her used for promoting the film were doctored—something the film's producers have denied. Dhalla has also denied producers claims she signed a distribution waiver, was paid $2,000, or gave a supportive TV interview at the premiere in a cinema that screens made-in-India movies.<ref name="torontosun.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2009/03/12/8716721-sun.html|title=Ian Robertson, MP tries to block DVD sale, Toronto Sun| date=12 March 2009|author=|website=torontosun.com|access-date=6 December 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314220416/http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2009/03/12/8716721-sun.html|archivedate=14 March 2009}}</ref> The producers claim to have a witness who saw Dhalla sign the waiver, although purporting that the waiver itself was "destroyed in a fire".<ref name="torontosun.com"/>

====January 2008 India visit====

Dhalla travelled to the Indian state of [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]] in January 2008. While attending a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) seminar, she called on the state government to introduce more stringent laws to prevent the abuse of married women.<ref>"Canadian lawmaker calls on Punjab to check domestic violence", ''Asian News International'', 7 January 2008.</ref> She later visited her parents' village of [[Mullanpur Dakha|Mullanpur]].<ref>"NRIs cherish visiting their ancestral villages", ''Asian News International'', 21 January 2008.</ref>

During this trip, a member of Dhalla's staff had a [[Handbag|purse]] stolen by two children. Allegations later surfaced that the children were beaten by the police after being apprehended, and a local television station ran an out-of-context quote from Dhalla that seemed to imply she condoned the violence. <ref>Sonya Fateh, "Indian police quietly drop case of MP, stolen purse", ''Toronto Star'', 10 March 2008, A1.</ref> Dhalla clarified that she condemned any type of violence against children and called for an investigation into the incident.<ref>CTV.ca News Staff, "It MP touring India calls for change after kids beaten ", ''CTV.ca'', 10 January 2008, {{cite web |url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/mp-touring-india-calls-for-change-after-kids-beaten-1.270419 |title=MP touring India calls for change after kids beaten |work=CTVNews |date=10 January 2008 |access-date=2008-01-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112032547/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080109/dhalla_purse_080110/20080110?hub=Canada |archive-date=2008-01-12 }}, accessed January 2008.</ref>

====Caregivers controversy====
On May 5, 2009, the ''[[Toronto Star]]'' newspaper ran a front-page story with allegations that two caregivers hired to look after Dhalla's mother had been illegally employed and mistreated. During a public forum with Ontario Liberal cabinet ministers [[Peter Fonseca]] and [[Kathleen Wynne]] present, the caregivers said that their passports were seized, they worked unpaid overtime, and they were forced to do non-caregiver jobs.  Fonseca and Wynne faced accusations in the Ontario legislature that they covered up the incident, with Ontario NDP leader [[Andrea Horwath]] describing it as "
absolutely shocking" that the ministers did nothing to investigate these allegations. Premier [[Dalton McGuinty]] defended his ministers, while conceding that both of them "exhibited a bit of a tin ear".<ref name="groups.google.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2009/05/07/mpps_shameful_failure_to_act_in_dhalla_nanny_scandal.html|title=MPPs' shameful failure to act in Dhalla nanny scandal - The Star|author=|date=7 May 2009|website=thestar.com|access-date=2 May 2019}}</ref> A third caregiver later came forward with similar charges.<ref>Dale Brazao, "Housekeeper 'paid under table'", ''Toronto Star'', 8 May 2009, A1.</ref>  She later released a statement indicating that she had no involvement with the hiring or supervision of the women.<ref name="Dale Brazao 2009">Dale Brazao, "Ruby's nanny trouble", ''Toronto Star'', 5 May 2009, A1.</ref>

Dhalla stepped down as the Liberal Youth and Multiculturalism Critic on May 6 and called for a federal ethics investigation to clear her name.<ref>"Dhalla quits critic's role amid family controversy", ''Canadian Press'', 6 May 2009, 10:36am; Mike de Souza, "Dhalla resigns critic post, vows to clear name", ''National Post'', 7 May 2009, A6; Susan Delacourt, "Dhalla seeks federal ethics investigation", ''Toronto Star'', 7 May 2009, A1.</ref>  She held a [[press conference]] two days later in which she described the allegations against her as a coordinated attack on her reputation. A subsequent ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'' article suggested that she had few supporters within the federal Liberal caucus, and that other MPs considered her a "high maintenance" self-promoter, demanding on her staff and unwilling to engage in the mundane details of parliamentary life.<ref>CAMPBELL CLARK, GLORIA GALLOWAY AND KAREN HOWLETT, "Scandal sidelines ‘high-maintenance' Liberal MP", ''The Globe and Mail'', 7 May 2009, A3.</ref>  Some Liberal MPs have publicly defended her, however, including [[Judy Sgro]].<ref>Susan Delacourt, "Fellow MP says Dhalla 'devastated'", ''Toronto Star'', 8 May 2009, A6.</ref> Dhalla's lawyer suggested that the controversy was part of a partisan [[smear campaign]] orchestrated by her political opponents.<ref>Caroline Alphonso, Kate Hammer and Daniel LeBlanc, "Political conspiracy fuelling nanny scandal, Dhalla says; Caregivers' claims ‘complete nonsense'", ''The Globe and Mail'', 9 May 2009, A1; [[David Akin]], "Dhalla caregivers' allegations a partisan smear, lawyer says", ''Ottawa Citizen'', 9 May 2009, A3.</ref> 

On the day after Dhalla's appearance, Agathe Mason, the executive director of a Toronto support group for immigrant women called Intercede, testified before the Commons committee that she had called Dhalla (rather than her brother) when one of the caregivers complained about her passport being withheld. Mason said that she informed Dhalla she was breaking the law and had 24 hours to return the passport, and that to her recollection the passport was returned the following day.<ref>Gloria Galloway, "Foreign-caregiver advocate contradicts Dhalla", ''The Globe and Mail'', 14 May 2009; Susan Delacourt and Dale Brazao, "Advocate for caregivers says MP's recollections are the opposite of hers", ''Toronto Star'', 15 May 2009, A1.</ref>  Dhalla had previously rejected Mason's accusations, saying that she had never spoken with anyone at Intercede.<ref>Susan Delacourt and Dale Brazao, "Nanny trouble", ''Toronto Star'', 6 May 2009, A1.</ref>

[[Minister of Citizenship and Immigration (Canada)|Immigration Minister]] [[Jason Kenney]] denied the suggestion of political interference, saying he had no personal knowledge of the matter until it was reported by the media.<ref>"Tory minister Kenney denies conspiring against Ruby Dhalla", ''Canadian Press'', 10 May 2009, 2:19pm; Gloria Galloway, "Tory minister rejects Dhalla ‘conspiracy'; Kenney says he has never met caregivers", ''The Globe and Mail'', 11 May 2009, A3.</ref> 

==Post-parliamentary career==
Dhalla was defeated by [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative]] [[Parm Gill]] in the [[2011 Canadian federal election|2011 federal election]].

Dhalla organized a press conference on October 5, 2014, with the intention of declaring her candidacy to be the Liberal nominee in Brampton—Springdale for the [[2015 Canadian federal election|2015 federal election]] but she instead announced that, "After much thought and much reflection, I will not be running in the next federal election". At her announcement she was surrounded by election signs that had the name of the Liberal Party blacked out.{{explain|date=February 2025}} 

On January 22, 2025, Dhalla announced that she would enter the [[2025 Liberal Party of Canada leadership election|Liberal Party of Canada leadership election]] to replace Prime Minister [[Justin Trudeau]].<ref>{{cite news |date=January 22, 2025 |title=Former MP Ruby Dhalla planning to enter Liberal leadership race |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/video/2025/01/22/former-mp-ruby-dhalla-planning-to-enter-liberal-leadership-race/ |access-date=January 22, 2025 |website=[[CTV News]] |language=en}}</ref>  In February, Dhalla sought permission from the party to use a translator for the French-language debate (as she cannot speak French) although she noted that she would make her opening and closing statements in French, but her request was denied.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Duggan |first=Kyle |date=February 11, 2025 |title=Liberal leadership hopeful Ruby Dhalla says she wants a translator for French debate |url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2025/02/10/liberal-leadership-hopeful-ruby-dhalla-says-she-wants-a-translator-for-french-debate |access-date=February 11, 2025 |work=[[CityNews]] |agency=[[The Canadian Press]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Duggan |first=Kyle |date=February 13, 2025 |title= Liberals deny Ruby Dhalla interpreter for French leadership debate |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/dhalla-debate-translator-1.7458429 |access-date=February 14, 2025 |work=[[CBC News]] |agency=[[The Canadian Press]]}}</ref> On February 20th, the Globe and Mail reported that Dhalla's campaign was being investigated over allegations of irregularities.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-02-20 |title=Liberal Party questions leadership candidate Ruby Dhalla over possible interference from India |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-liberal-party-questions-ruby-dhalla-leadership-campaign/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |work=[[The Globe and Mail]] |language=en-CA}}</ref> The day after, Dhalla was disqualified by the party due to multiple allegations of ten irregularities in her campaign ranging foreign interference to inaccurate financial reporting.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last1=Tunney |first1=Catherine |last2=Cochrane |first2=David |author-link2=David Cochrane (journalist) |date=February 21, 2025 |title=Ruby Dhalla kicked out of Liberal leadership race: party |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ruby-dhalla-liberal-leadership-1.7465430 |access-date=February 21, 2025 |website=[[CBC News]]}}</ref> Dhalla denied the allegations and appealed the verdict.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Patterson |first=Kelsey |date=2025-02-25 |title=Ousted Liberal leadership candidate Ruby Dhalla loses appeal |url=https://montreal.citynews.ca/2025/02/24/liberal-leadership-ruby-dhalla-loses-appeal/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=[[CityNews|CityNews Montreal]] |language=en}}</ref> Her appeal was rejected by the party on February 24.<ref name=":02" />

==Personal life==
Dhalla's brother, Neil, died in December 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Remembering the life of NEIL DHALLA |url=https://obituaries.thestar.com/obituary/neil-dhalla-1088257498/guestbook |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=obituaries.thestar.com |language=en}}</ref>

Her cousin, Bava Dhillon, is a member of the [[Sapotaweyak Cree Nation]] and ran for chief in 2021.<ref>https://www.facebook.com/rubydhallamp/posts/having-lived-in-the-public-eye-for-many-years-since-my-first-election-in-2004-ma/10158900563783964/ {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bonnyman |first=Clare |date=October 28, 2021 |title=How a Cree-Sikh biker brought together a cross-cultural ride for reconciliation |url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/nowornever/where-are-your-two-wheels-taking-you-1.6221141/how-a-cree-sikh-biker-brought-together-a-cross-cultural-ride-for-reconciliation-1.6227147 |access-date=February 21, 2025 |work=[[Now or Never (radio show)|Now or Never]] |publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]}}</ref>

She currently serves as the CEO of the Dhalla Group, which is in the "healthcare, real estate, and hospitality" industries.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Ramesh |author2=A. Gary Singh |title=NRI "Dr. Ruby Dhalla" Is Awarded 'Outstanding Woman Hotelier of the Year Award 2024' |url=https://nriinternet.com/NRIpoliticians/CANADA/Ontario/Ruby_Dhalla/2024/Recieved-Outstanding-Women-Hotelier-of-the-Year-2024-Award/index.htm |work=NRIinternet.com |date=1 May 2024 |location=Los Angeles CA}}</ref>

==Electoral record==

{{Canadian election result/top|CA|2011|percent=yes|change=yes|expenditures=yes}}
{{CANelec|CA|Conservative|[[Parm Gill]] |24,617 |48.3%|&ndash;|&ndash;}}
{{CANelec|CA|Liberal|Ruby Dhalla|14,231 |27.9%|&ndash;|&ndash;}}
{{CANelec|CA|NDP|Manjit Grewal |9,963|19.6%|&ndash;|&ndash;}}
{{CANelec|CA|Green|Mark Hoffberg |1,926|3.8%|&ndash;|&ndash;}}
{{CANelec|CA|Communist|[[Liz Rowley]]|219|0.4% |&ndash;|&ndash;}}
{{Canadian election result/total|Total valid votes|50,956|	100.0%|&ndash;}}
{{end}}

{{2008 Canadian federal election/Brampton—Springdale}}

{{2006 Canadian federal election/Brampton—Springdale}}

{{2004 Canadian federal election/Brampton—Springdale}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Ruby Dhalla}}
* {{Twitter}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080124044144/http://www.rubydhalla.ca/ Ruby Dhalla] website, on Wayback Machine, as of January 24, 2008
*[http://parl.howdtheyvote.ca/39-1/members/88 How'd They Vote?: Ruby Dhalla's voting history and quotes]{{Canadian Parliament links|ID=9563}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dhalla, Ruby}}
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[[Category:Canadian chiropractors]]
[[Category:Canadian people of Indian descent]]
[[Category:Canadian Sikhs]]
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[[Category:Liberal Party of Canada MPs]]
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[[Category:University of Winnipeg alumni]]
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