Ruby Dhalla, a former member of parliament for Brampton—Springdale, has officially entered the race for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada. If successful, she would make history as the first woman of Indian origin to lead the party and potentially become Canada's prime minister.
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Dhalla pursued a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry and later earned a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. At the age of 10, she reportedly wrote a letter to then-Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi expressing her thoughts on Operation Blue Star and the unrest in Punjab. According to Malaysian publication Mathrubhumi, Gandhi responded, inviting Dhalla to India; however, the prime minister was assassinated soon thereafter.
Dhalla was elected as the member of parliament for Brampton — Springdale in 2004, becoming one of the first Sikh women to serve in Canada’s House of Commons. During her tenure, she was known for her advocacy on issues such as foreign credential recognition and international humanitarian efforts. She remained a prominent figure within the party until her departure from federal politics in 2011.
Following her exit from politics, Dhalla transitioned into business, taking over leadership of the Dhalla Group of Companies after the sudden passing of her brother, Dr. Neil Dhalla. As CEO and president, she expanded the company’s interests in healthcare, real estate, and hospitality, leading efforts to establish a hotel fund and acquire properties in the United States and the United Arab Emirates. Despite having limited prior experience in hospitality, Dhalla immersed herself in learning hotel operations, acquisitions, and management. Her leadership and commitment to excellence earned her the “Outstanding Woman Hotelier of the Year Award 2024” from the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), recognizing her contributions to the industry.
On January 22, 2025, Dhalla announced her candidacy for the Liberal Party leadership, emphasizing her desire to “bring fresh perspectives to the party.” In her announcement, she stated, “We are on the verge of creating history by electing the first woman of colour as the leader of the Liberal Party and the next prime minister of Canada.” Her campaign platform includes a firm stance on illegal immigration and human trafficking, pledging to deport individuals residing in Canada illegally and to clamp down on human traffickers. She has also expressed a commitment to engaging new demographics in politics and providing practical solutions to the challenges Canadians face. Her campaign slogan, “Canada’s Comeback Starts Now,” aims to reflect her focus on revitalizing the country’s political landscape.
The Liberal Party is set to choose its new leader on March 9, 2025. Dhalla joins a competitive field that includes former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, ex-Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, and MP Karina Gould.
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