Ruby Dhalla
Ruby Dhalla is a notable Canadian politician recognized for being the first South Asian woman elected to the federal parliament and one of the first two Sikh women to serve in the Canadian House of Commons. Born on February 18, 1974, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Punjabi parents, her political activism began in her youth, notably when she protested against Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s actions in the Golden Temple in 1984. Dhalla pursued higher education in biochemistry and political science, earning a doctorate from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, and co-owned chiropractic clinics prior to her political career.
Elected as a Liberal Member of Parliament for Brampton–Springdale in 2004, Dhalla served for six years, during which time she was involved in various significant initiatives, including advocating for an apology regarding the 1914 Komagata Maru incident. She founded organizations focused on youth and multicultural women’s issues and participated in relief efforts for international disasters. Despite her achievements, Dhalla's tenure was marked by controversy, including accusations related to her employment of caregivers, which she denied. After losing her seat in 2011, she campaigned in India for the Shiromani Akali Dal party in 2012.
Subject Terms
Ruby Dhalla
Politician
- Born: February 18, 1974
- Place of Birth: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Contribution: Ruby Dhalla is a Canadian politician who became the first South Asian woman elected to federal parliament. She is also one of the first two Sikh women to serve in the Canadian House of Commons, along with Nina Grewal, who was elected the same year.
Early Life and Education
Ruby Dhalla was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on February 18, 1974, to Punjabi parents. Her political activism began in her youth, when she wrote a letter to Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi in 1984 in protest of Gandhi’s decision to order military action in Punjab’s Golden Temple, which led to hundreds of deaths and the desecration of the sacred Sikh temple. Gandhi answered Dhalla’s letter at a press conference shortly before she was assassinated.
Dhalla studied biochemistry and political science at the University of Winnipeg and earned her bachelor of science in 1995. She received her doctorate from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in 1999. Dhalla and her brother, Neil, co-owned several chiropractic clinics in Toronto and other cities. She also had a brief acting career, appearing in a Hindi-language film.
Political Career
Dhalla began volunteering for Liberal member of Parliament (MP) David Walker in Winnipeg when she was twelve years old. She became involved in the Winnipeg Young Liberals and won the post of youth representative to the party’s committee on multiculturalism in 1998.
In 2004, Dhalla was named the Liberal candidate for the electoral district of Brampton–Springdale by Prime Minister Paul Martin. She won the election and served as an MP for six years. During this time, Dhalla was named to the standing committee on health. She later served as the Liberal health critic in the opposition following the 2006 federal elections. As a member of the shadow cabinet in 2007, Dhalla was responsible for issues relating to social development. She received international attention in 2008 for sponsoring a private member’s motion that sought an apology from the Canadian government for its part in the 1914 Komagata Maru incident, in which a ship of Sikh immigrants was denied entry to Canada. In 2009, Dhalla was appointed Liberal critic for youth and multiculturalism.
Dhalla is the founder of the Brampton Youth Advisory Council and the Ethno-Cultural Canadian Women’s Organization, the latter of which advocates for women from various ethnic backgrounds who have suffered from domestic violence. She also served as an organizer of the 2005 Canada for Asia benefit concert for the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, contributed to relief efforts for victims of the Pakistan earthquake in October 2005, and worked on behalf of immigrants’ rights and same-sex marriage legislation. Dhalla has received many awards and honors, including the Pride of India Award, the NRI Institute’s Non-Resident Indian of the Year Award, and a citation for outstanding political leadership from India Empire magazine.
In 2011, Dhalla was defeated for reelection by Conservative candidate Parm Gill.
In January 2012, Dhalla traveled to India to campaign in support of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) party, particularly Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, who was the SAD’s candidate to represent the city of Mohali (later renamed Ajitgarh) in the Punjab Legislative Assembly. Although Ramoowalia lost to the incumbent candidate, Balbir Singh Sidhu, the SAD–Bharatiya Janata Party coalition remained in power.
Personal Life
During her time in office, Dhalla was involved in several controversies. In March 2009, she attempted to block the release of a 2003 film in which she appeared, claiming that the publicity material used her image inappropriately. Later that year, Dhalla was accused of illegally employing and abusing three caregivers hired to take care of her mother. She denied the allegations, and no charges were filed.
Bibliography
Grewal, San. “Conservative Parm Gill Defeats Ruby Dhalla in Brampton-Springdale.” Toronto Star. Toronto Star, 3 May 2011. Web. 31 July 2013.
Kahol, Vikas. “Hot Politico Ruby Dhalla Spices Up Akali Dal Campaign.” India Today. Living Media India, 26 Jan. 2012. Web. 31 July 2013.
"Ms. Ruby Dhalla, M.P." Parlinfo, 2024, lop.parl.ca/sites/ParlInfo/default/en‗CA/People/Profile?personId=9563. Accessed 20 Sept. 2024.
Parashar, Sachin. “Ruby Dhalla: Proud Sikh Who Wears Multiple Hats.” Times of India. Bennett, 6 Nov. 2012. Web. 31 July 2013.
Press Trust of India. “Ruwaby Dhalla to Set Up Trust for Fraud Marriage Victims.” Hindustan Times. HT Media, 7 Nov. 2012. Web. 31 July 2013.
Taber, Jane. “10 Things You Should Know about Ruby Dhalla.” Globe and Mail. Globe and Mail, 16 May 2009. Web. 31 July 2013.