Why Is The Best Ruby Not On The Canadian Crown Now?
Dr. Ruby Dhalla Makes History as the First Woman of Indian Origin to Run for Prime Minister
WORLD HISTORY IS MADE.
As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, we must applaud and recognize trailblazer and world history maker – Dr. Ruby Dhalla from Canada. She has become the first woman of Indian Origin to run for Prime Minister in the world. While some may mention Kamala Harris, who ran for President of the United States, it’s important to note that Kamala’s heritage is biracial, with both Indian and Black heritage.
Dr. Dhalla’s achievement is a monumental milestone for the South Asian community globally, underscoring representation’s power. In the history of female leaders, Indira Gandhi, who served as Prime Minister of India, was the only woman to achieve such heights.
Dr. Dhalla’s journey reminds all women that glass ceilings are meant to be shattered and barriers broken. Women are meant to rise, lead, and reshape the future.
The Leadership Race: A New Chapter After Trudeau’s Resignation
On January 6, 2025, Justin Trudeau, Canada’s Prime Minister, said he would resign. That was the start of the shortest leadership contest in Canada. The prize is the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, and the biggest prize is the title of Prime Minister of Canada.
The media reported that many candidates from the current administration would enter the race, and they did. Mark Carney, a former governor of the Bank of Canada and a high-profile economist, was widely viewed as the frontrunner. Add two former Ministers, Chrystia Freeland and Karina Gould, and an MP, Frank Bayliss.
Then, the entry of one candidate shocked the party and the country – Dr. Ruby Dhalla. Her entry was historic. Dr. Ruby Dhalla would become the first woman from Canada’s multicultural communities to run both for leadership of the Liberal Party and Canada’s next Prime Minister. Ruby is the symbol of what the Liberal Party stands for – an innovative, successful young woman with stellar credentials – a doctor and self-made businesswoman. To complete the circle, Ruby is the daughter of immigrant parents who immigrated to Canada from India in 1972 when Justin Trudeau’s father, Pierre Trudeau, was the prime minister and opened Canada’s door to immigration.
Her announcement made a splash in the media and political circles worldwide.
Gaining Traction: Dhalla’s Rise in the Race
When Ruby Dhalla entered the Liberal leadership race, she was perceived as an underdog. However, she surprised many by starting her campaign with a bang. Her candidacy was historic and a potential game-changer in the leadership race.
Many believed her path to success would be difficult within a party known for its establishment-backed candidates. All four candidates besides Ruby were party insiders – having served as Advisors, Ministers, or MPs. Ruby Dhalla was the only true outsider who had been a 3x elected MP but was not involved with the Trudeau Government. With Trudeau and his Government at a historic low in the poll, that was part of the appeal. She was experienced and well-spoken, connected with people at a personal level, and announced policies that were the need of the hour in Canada. Combined with her strong digital media, one thing was becoming clear…she was attracting thousands of supporters, those other candidates who had signed up were supporting her, her momentum was growing, and she was climbing in the polls.
The more policies she announced for her platform as Canada’s next Prime Minister, the more Canadians connected with her. The more she shared that she wanted to bring the Liberal Party back to the center and return it to the hands of the Party members, the more Liberals started to voice their support.
Her momentum was an unplanned and unforeseen twist by the establishment and the political elite in the party. As she challenged the status quo, the establishment, with a promise to bring change, the more people found Ruby as a breath of fresh air, a fresh face with a fresh vision. Members of the Liberal Party at the grassroots started to feel that Ruby was what the Party needed. The more people talked about Ruby, the less they spoke about Carney and the others. Ruby’s growing momentum was becoming a problem for the party establishment and the campaign’s front-runner.
Who is Ruby Dhalla?
Dr. Ruby Dhalla embodies the Canadian dream. Born and raised in Canada to immigrant parents who came to Canada in the 70s from Punjab. Ruby is a doctor, self-made businesswoman, public speaker, and philanthropist. Add to that a three-term Member of Parliament who made history in 2004 as one of the first Sikh women elected to federal office in Canada and the Western world. She has won many awards globally for her achievements, including from India’s Prime Minister – Prime Minister Modi in 2022, when she was one of 10 global Sikhs recognized for advocating for the global Sikh community.
Ruby started her journey in politics at the age of 12 as a volunteer with the Liberal Party. In her speeches, she often reflects on how she has dedicated most of her life to public service. At the age of 12, she started with the Liberal Party. She has knocked on thousands of doors, worked on hundreds of campaigns, co-chaired leadership races, and served on various levels of the party’s executive, including the National executive. She made world history when she was elected in 204 and has subsequently been elected for three terms as a Member of Parliament.
During her time in Parliament from 2004-2011, she was known as part of the “rat pack: of MPs – intense and passionate defenders of liberal policies. Ruby championed many vital issues. She was at the forefront of changing the Government rules for anyone named Singh or Kaur who wanted to immigrate to Canada. Previously, anyone with those last names would have to add another name to Singh or Kaur – her voice and motion resulted in people being allowed to come without changing this/her name. She was also at the forefront of the foreign credential secretariat to help professionals coming to Canada be able to work in their procession vs. having to work at a coffee shop or gas station.
Adding to the list of achievements was the motion Ruby brought forward in the House of Commons for the government of Canada to apologize to all members of the South Asian community for the black mark of the Japanese steamship Komagata Maru, on which a group of people from British India attempted to migrate to Canada in April 1914. Still, most were denied entry and forced to return to Budge Budge, near Calcutta (present-day Kolkata), due to the racist policies that existed at that time.
After leaving Parliament in 2011, she took a step back from politics until 2025, focusing on the family business and philanthropy initiatives.
From Politics to Business: A Journey of Resilience
After. the sudden passing of her brother, Dr. Neil Dhalla, Ruby took on leadership responsibilities within the family business – the Dhalla Group of Companies.
As CEO and President of the Dhalla Group of Companies, she has led a growing healthcare, real estate, and hospitality enterprise in North America – Ruby is navigating the business landscape with resilience, innovation, and determination. Guided by her vision and dedication to champion her brother’s legacy of passion, purpose & philanthropy.
As a results-driven entrepreneur, Ruby is guided by the book The Secret – Ask for It. Believe it. Receive it. Ruby has already created waves in the hospitality industry in her short time in the hotel industry. She was recently awarded Outstanding Woman Hotelier of the Year by the world’s largest Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA). Her leadership in an industry traditionally dominated by men has inspired many. Ruby continues to trailblaze, from being invited as a hotelier to the White House to advocate for fellow hoteliers, speaking at conferences on issues impacting business owners, and mentoring youth and women entrepreneurs.
Her unique ability to balance business and public service has made her a role model. She has been invited to speak at global forums, including the United Nations and the Prince’s Global Leaders Forum, and her contributions were further acknowledged when the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, named her one of 10 Global Indians for her humanitarian and political achievements.
Business Acumen and Vision for Economic Growth
Beyond politics, Dhalla’s leadership in business has set a strong precedent for women in corporate sectors. Under her direction, the Dhalla Group of Companies has diversified into hospitality, healthcare, and real estate, creating employment opportunities and fostering economic growth.
Her strategic vision, combined with her creation of a hotel acquisitions and development fund, is taking the Dhalla Group to new heights and has positioned her as a key player in making hotel funds and strategic hotel acquisitions in the US and Middle East markets.
Her ability to integrate technology and artificial intelligence (AI) into business models has been a game-changer. She has spoken at industry summits about using AI-driven customer experience solutions in hospitality and digital transformation in real estate. Her foresight in merging business innovation with traditional sectors has contributed to her company’s sustained success and financial resilience.
A Public Disqualification: Dhalla Learns Her Fate on Live TV
It was this experience in the real world that distinguished Ruby. While all the candidates lived in the Ottawa bubble, Ruby was the only candidate who had worked in the real world. In her campaign, she spoke about appointing a Health Czar to fix the healthcare crisis, creating more substantial trade and economic relationships globally, toughening up on crime with bail reform, and creating affordability initiatives to lower home, gas, and grocery prices. Her policies spoke to the need of the hour, so Ruby’s comeback into the political arena in the race to become the Leader of the Liberal Party and Canada’s next Prime Minister was met with excitement and support from millions of Canadians.
Despite her strong platform and growing popularity, Dhalla’s campaign faced significant roadblocks. She alleged that while her team signed up over 100,000 new members, she was denied access to party membership lists, an advantage that other candidates reportedly had.
As the momentum grew, the party establishment became concerned. What if Ruby won? What if Ruby upset the Liberal Party establishment’s chosen candidate? What if Ruby appeared on the debate stage and questioned the candidates on their performance over the past 10 years?
Shortly after submitting the required $350,000 leadership deposit, Dhalla received a six-page letter listing 27 concerns—none of which had been previously raised. Despite her cooperation and efforts to address each issue, the party had decided. There was only one way out – Ruby needed to be disqualified.
Days before the disqualification, media leaks began to appear on a news channel backed by the establishment alleging possible foreign interference. This was the second time the Liberal Party had attacked a person of color in the leadership race with claims of foreign interference. Furious at this false claim – Ruby made a video stating that the Liberal Party and no political institution in Canada could attack immigrants or people of color with the airbrush of foreign interference. Hours after the video went viral on social media channels and people expressed their anger, it appears the party rescinded and withdrew the claims. The party spokesperson clarified that there had been no foreign meddling.
The following day, the alleged breaches were switched to financial violations. Ruby said in minutes that the alleged breaches were “false and fabricated. One day, it is foreign interference; the next day, it is financial violations, all to keep Ruby Dhalla off the debate stage, off the ballot, and complete the coronation of Mark Carney,” said Dhalla.
Adding to the mystery surrounding her disqualification, Dhalla discovered she had been removed from the Liberal leadership race during a live interview on CBC. This unprecedented move blindsided her and many of her supporters. Instead of being informed privately by the party and allowed to address the allegations before a public announcement, she was forced to react in real time on national television.
The decision to inform the media before the candidate herself raised serious concerns about professionalism and transparency in the Liberal Party’s internal processes. Many political observers viewed this as a targeted attack on Ruby and questioned whether such treatment would have been extended to an establishment-backed candidate. The lack of direct communication from the party to Dhalla before the public revelation only fueled speculation that her removal was an attempt by the Liberal Party to stop her momentum and keep her off the debate stage and the ballot.
Political analysts have debated whether this disqualification was necessary to enforce party rules or a deliberate move to secure Carney’s path to leadership. The lack of transparency in the decision-making process has raised concerns about the state of internal democracy within the Liberal Party, with many wondering if viable candidates with alternative views can genuinely challenge the establishment.
The Political Fallout: A Rigged Race or Procedural Concerns?
As the first Sikh woman elected to federal office in Canada and the first woman of Indian origin to run for Prime Minister outside of India, Dhalla’s candidacy was a milestone for representation. However, her abrupt removal from the race raises concerns about whether political institutions truly provide equal opportunities for diverse candidates or if structural barriers still exist that favor establishment-backed contenders.
Dhalla’s removal from the leadership race raises critical questions about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within Canadian politics. The Liberal Party has long championed itself as a progressive force that supports diversity and amplifies underrepresented voices, but does Dhalla’s disqualification align with these values? The party’s actions show that the Liberal Party is not so “Liberal” after all.
If leadership races are not conducted with fairness and transparency, what message does this send to women, minorities, and other marginalized communities who aspire to run for office? Does this case indicate that political spaces remain inaccessible to those outside of the traditional power structures?
These are the very questions Canadians must ask as the country moves toward the 2025 election.
In 96 hours following her removal – over 5.8 million people engaged on Ruby’s Twitter account alone, expressing their anger at this attack on democracy and fairness in Canada by a political party.
Another pressing question that arises from Dhalla’s disqualification is the fate of the $350,000 leadership deposit raised through grassroots donations from hardworking Canadians who believed in her vision. Why did the party only inform Ruby after the $350,000 deposit was paid? Millions of Canadians from all political stripes are demanding it be refunded to her donors who only supported Ruby’s vision for the party and country.
For many Canadians, this raises grave ethical concerns about how political contributions are handled when candidates are removed from a race under disputed circumstances. Should there be more transparency in how parties allocate and return funds in such cases? The Liberal Party must address these questions to maintain public trust in its leadership selection process.
Denied a Debate: Dhalla’s Response and Public Appeal
Another significant aspect of Dhalla’s disqualification was that she was denied a formal debate—a critical platform where candidates present their policies, answer tough questions, and engage with the public. Without the opportunity to defend her candidacy, Dhalla turned to alternative media to make her case.
Following her disqualification, Dhalla decided to engage her social media following and collaborated with Mario 4 the North, a well-known TikTok commentator with over 10 million views at the same time as the debate of the Liberal Party candidates. The discussion, titled The Real Debate | Liberal Party Leadership Debate Reaction with Dr. Ruby Dhalla and Mario Zelaya, allowed her to share her vision for the country’s future with her progressive policy ideas. Based on the information posted – Ruby’s debate had 50,000 viewers and the party’s 3,600. It is clear that Ruby’s disqualification, instead of helping the front-runner establishment-backed candidate, has backfired on Canadians questioning the integrity of the race.
Watch the entire conversation here: The Real Debate | Liberal Party Leadership Debate Reaction
Was Dhalla Too Much of a Threat?
Political commentator, Terry Newman explored this issue in his article Was Ruby Dhalla Too Much of a Threat to Mark Carney? published in the National Post. He raised key concerns about the fairness of the Liberal leadership contest and whether Dhalla’s growing influence made her a target for disqualification. Newman suggested Dhalla’s status as an outsider candidate gaining traction among grassroots supporters may have unsettled party insiders, particularly those backing Mark Carney as the frontrunner.
Newman argues that the lack of transparency surrounding Dhalla’s removal could have far-reaching consequences for her campaign and the future of internal party democracy in Canada. He warns that if leadership contests are orchestrated to favor establishment candidates, it may discourage diverse voices from participating in political leadership, ultimately weakening the democratic process.
Furthermore, the public perception of Dhalla’s disqualification could erode trust in the Liberal Party’s ability to hold free and fair leadership races. If voters see the leadership process as pre-determined, it may lead to declining engagement, disillusionment with political institutions, and an overall lack of confidence in Canadian democracy.
This raises an important question: Was Dhalla’s removal purely procedural, or was it a strategic decision to protect the Liberal establishment? Should the party not have applied the same rigorous scrutiny to other candidates if Dhalla was disqualified on procedural grounds? Newman’s analysis forces us to confront these difficult but necessary questions.
After Ruby’s disqualification, Canadians have brought financial irregularities by Mark Carney and Chrystia Freeland to light on social media. Despite being forwarded to the party, there has been no response or follow-up, further highlighting that the Liberal Party establishment felt threatened by Ruby’s candidacy and her challenging of the status quo.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Leadership
The party’s decision appears to have backfired, and the Liberal Party of Canada’s treatment of Ruby Dhalla has left many puzzled and scratching their heads. Some commentators have said the party has committed a political explosion, angering millions of Canadians. Many believe the attack on Ruby was racist, and others think it was an attack on democracy in Canada. Many feel the decision has exposed the Liberal Party’s true colors of not wanting the voices of women, immigrants, and progressive policy.
One thing is evident—the Liberal Party’s decision has further bolstered Ruby Dhalla’s popularity. Millions of Canadians champion her as a politician who is fearless and strong enough to stand up to the establishment, and others want her to join another political party or start her independent party.
Ruby is the jewel that will be missed in the Canadian Crown.
Dr. Ruby Dhalla’s journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to public service. Despite all of the South Asians elected in Canada’s current parliament, only Ruby had the strength to stand up and put her name in the ring for the leadership of the Party to become Canada’s next Prime Minister.
Her impact inspires individuals across industries in politics, business, and global advocacy. As Canada moves forward, her story raises important questions about political transparency, leadership selection, and the future of representation in the country’s highest offices. Regardless of the outcome, her candidacy has been historic, leaving an undeniable mark on Canadian politics and setting a precedent for future leaders from diverse backgrounds.
Public Engagement
As the discussion around Dhalla’s disqualification continues, the conversation has extended beyond political circles to the general public, social media, and advocacy groups. A review of the numbers shows that 5.8 million people engaged on Twitter alone in 96 hours after her disqualification and 4.8 million over 30 days on Instagram. One thing is clear – Canadians of all political stripes want democracy, justice, integrity in the election process, and increased transparency in political leadership contests when electing the next Prime Minister of Canada.
