Campaign to be Ruby's nanny

Oleg Bach · May 8, 2009

What makes us so good - look at the economic arrangement the west we have with China - after all is said and done - we are again dependant on slave labour..and nothing good can come from it..this dependence is in part to blame for our economic woes at present - we have become a people who have given up our industial nature and do nothing of value - except trade in junk with slavish empires. As for Ruby dear - she may just be the hard nose opportunist who has imported the attitude of her former homeland here...If these allegations are true..stern measures must be taken to adjust and retake our high moral ground - BUT that will not happen - liberals are the new conservatives of old - exploiters.

Oleg Bach · May 8, 2009

Also: when some phoney uses the term "care giver" beware! It's much like a corporation that attatches the title "service" to their banner - it usually means serve themselves and that hypnotic habitual bottom line.

SSD · May 8, 2009

I know there has been a lot of debate these past few days. I just am not able to believe that an MP, a chiropractor would be stupid enough to illegally treat her employees in the said way. I am not saying that the nannies are lying in the way they were treated but remember, even Ruby said that she was not involved in the hiring/firing and supervising the employees as she was in Ottawa most of the time. If you asked me, its not Ruby who should be at fault here, its her brother. With regards to cleaning her chiropractor office, she is not even practicing anymore, its her brother.

bjre · May 8, 2009

I know there has been a lot of debate these past few days. I just am not able to believe that an MP, a chiropractor would be stupid enough to illegally treat her employees in the said way. I am not saying that the nannies are lying in the way they were treated but remember, even Ruby said that she was not involved in the hiring/firing and supervising the employees as she was in Ottawa most of the time. If you asked me, its not Ruby who should be at fault here, its her brother. With regards to cleaning her chiropractor office, she is not even practicing anymore, its her brother.

That is the dirty of politics.

The rivals don't judge a politician by his/her ability and willingness to do good job for people, they try mainly in play dirty games. That is the quality of the current politicians.

They enjoy this more than how to consider solution to the bad economy to make more people get rid of troubles.

betsy · May 8, 2009

Such allegations are more damning because Dhalla is not just a regular MP. She's the critic for multiculturalism. Not only the allegations of abuse and exploitation....but also the allegation that the passports of these nannies were taken.

At least she stepped down from office while investigation is going on.

Muddy · May 8, 2009

She is a Liberal. She must be forgiven and her past indiscretions wiped clean off her record . It is the Canadian way.

scribblet · May 8, 2009

From my listening and reading, nannygate is big, especially coming from the Liberals as they are the party of or for immigrants, they brag about their ethnic voter base etc. This could damage their reputation big time, Even their leader is not getting her back, he is keeping quiet about it. However, I will hold my opinion on Ms. Dhallah until all the facts about her involvement are in, and remember it was the Toronto Star that broke this story...

What is more damaging, is that two Liberal MPPs were at that meeting who spoke to 2 nannies but did nothing. Did they do nothing because they were just incompetent or wanted to protect one of their own, a Liberal MP ?

EDTA: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/631022

In this article it appears that Ms. Dhalla did indeed know and was involved in the hiring. I have to wonder about the salary quoted, at no time is room and board mentioned which would enter into the salary equation. Adding that to the salary would make it what - I don't know what figures are used?

Edited May 8, 2009 by scriblett

madmax · May 8, 2009

Those are good articles Scribblett. Who knows, one day you may even find a way to dig up dirt on the Conservatives instead of being an apologist for them.

Jump right in when the LPC in trouble....... and they are .... OR certainly Ruby is along with those two MPPs.

scribblet · May 8, 2009

Those are good articles Scribblett. Who knows, one day you may even find a way to dig up dirt on the Conservatives instead of being an apologist for them.
Jump right in when the LPC in trouble....... and they are .... OR certainly Ruby is along with those two MPPs.

Why would I need to, this is only what this forum is about these days

Cuzzin E · May 8, 2009

You shouldn't make fun of a serious, tragic crisis like this.
To think that someone in this day and age, and with the privlegaes that woman has, could have human slave labour in her home is just sickening. I could never has a person ever bring myself to abuse other people the way she did. Even on vacation I'll get a drink myself or get my own towels and tell room service not to clean our room.

Give it up with you sensationalist bullshit.

They weren't slaves, they are illegal workers with sour grapes against Miss Dhalla and used by others for political gain. What did she make them do that's so bad? Clean the floors? Wash the dishes? Sounds like a regular day for most people.

You soft pussified Canadians have a strange notion of torture. Wouldn't last a second in Lebanon.

I doubt she'll bee going to heaven whe nshe dies.

Where ever it is, hopefully it's with me

capricorn · May 8, 2009

They weren't slaves, they are illegal workers with sour grapes against Miss Dhalla and used by others for political gain.

Maybe. We wouldn't know unless there was an investigation by the appropriate authorities to get to the truth. The question is whether anyone in authority is investigating and by that I don't mean the Ethics Commissioner or a Commons Committee.

What did she make them do that's so bad? Clean the floors? Wash the dishes? Sounds like a regular day for most people.

Regular folks doing caregiver and housekeeper work in their homes for relatives without pay are not regulated like foreign domestic workers. There's a big distinction between the two.

Where ever it is, hopefully it's with me

Dream on, cuzzin. :lol:

--------------

Anxious to normalize her status, Alvarez said she inquired of Tavinder Dhalla "about my papers" on several occasions.
"I cannot stay here (and) work with you as an illegal. I want to be legal," Alvarez said.

Tavinder Dhalla, she said, dismissed her queries, urging her to just "work, work, work."

So Alvarez took up the case with Ruby Dhalla, who she said promised to sponsor her through the Live-in Caregiver Program at the end of her week-long trial period.

Ruby Dhalla told her she would get her proper documentation, Alvarez said, adding that Dhalla told her: "I work at the Parliament. I have a friend in immigration that can help me regarding your papers."

When nothing happened, Alvarez decided to quit and look for legal work elsewhere. When she quit, she says, Tavinder Dhalla gave her $50 for a cab, and told her to return to get the remainder of the money from Ruby Dhalla.

(my emphasis)

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/631022

I'm inclined to believe the nanny on that point. It's no surprise that some elected officials use their status to their advantage to circumvent the system in order to help individuals of their choosing. Some get caught pulling strings, others don't.

Cuzzin E · May 8, 2009

I'm inclined to believe the nanny on that point. It's no surprise that some elected officials use their status to their advantage to circumvent the system in order to help individuals of their choosing. Some get caught pulling strings, others don't.

Okay, if that is true she should be charged for peddling her influence. This is the bigger issue. But to say the nanny's were abused for simply having them clean the floors/clinics is a huge overstatement.

Wild Bill · May 8, 2009

I'm inclined to believe the nanny on that point. It's no surprise that some elected officials use their status to their advantage to circumvent the system in order to help individuals of their choosing. Some get caught pulling strings, others don't.

Brace yourselves! I'm about to trigger the flames!

It's not necessarily abuse of position. It may be much simpler.

It likely is cultural!

I've worked beside many people from India and surrounding countries. Getting desperate people to work for less than minimums is quite common. I personally worked at a firm in Toronto where the owner would use people from refugee families at less than minimum wage, treating them abominably, by the standards of my own culture.

When it's cultural it sadly is not always a conscious act.

I don't personally know Ms Ruby D so of course I have no way of knowing for sure in her own particular case. I just thought I'd mention it.

Those who believe that all cultures are the same no doubt will be appalled at my words but hey, I've witnessed it for myself on a number of occasions.

It's real! Deal with it!

Maybe google India and the custom of 'tying'. Only don't try to make it specific to only that culture. Over the generations many cultures including our own have done similar things. Many orphans were exploited as farm labour in Canada not that long ago.

mikedavid00 · May 8, 2009

She's about to give a live statement.

I bet she is going to cry and/or whimper.

Edited May 8, 2009 by mikedavid00

Topaz · May 8, 2009

She's about to give a live statement.
I bet she is going to cry and/or whimper.

YOU loss you bet, dude! After listening to her and her lawyer, I am wondering now if this was a setup by the former workers or if someone in government had something to do with this. Her lawyer is looking forward to asking the women questions under oath. There must be an election not too far off.

capricorn · May 8, 2009

It likely is cultural!
-----

Maybe google India and the custom of 'tying'. Only don't try to make it specific to only that culture. Over the generations many cultures including our own have done similar things. Many orphans were exploited as farm labour in Canada not that long ago.

I sense what you're saying. Your analysis would suggest that Dhalla may have been influenced by customs practiced in India or in another country. But wait a minute Wild Bill. Dhalla was born in Canada. Therefore, she should be well aware of what is and what is not acceptable behaviour by employers with regard to the treatment of employees in this country. Doubly so that she is a Member of Parliament who was elected more than once and who held the post of Liberal critic for multicultural issues.

I don't see this as a question of race or culture except for the fact that the nannies are foreign workers. The gist of this case is that of a publicly elected individual who may be embroiled in a breach of labour and citizenship laws, and the fundamental human right of domestic workers to humane treatment at the hands of those employing them.

capricorn · May 8, 2009

After listening to her and her lawyer, I am wondering now if this was a setup by the former workers or if someone in government had something to do with this.

Obvioulsy, Dhalla and her lawyer are hoping that the gullible will put this matter down as a vast right wing conspiracy to destroy the Liberal rising star.

While you mull this over, remember that the allegations were raised in a public forum after a couple of Ontario MPPs encouraged domestic workers in attendance to voice any complaints they may have with regard to their treatment as caregivers and foreign workers. These nannies were not coerced to stand up to speak about their experiences in the Dhalla household. That public forum was not organized by the Conservatives, neither was it a Conservative setup. I'm not saying that in the aftermath the Conservatives aren't milking this for all it's worth but to suggest a pre-organized conspiracy is stretching it.

mikedavid00 · May 8, 2009

YOU loss you bet, dude! After listening to her and her lawyer, I am wondering now if this was a setup by the former workers or if someone in government had something to do with this. Her lawyer is looking forward to asking the women questions under oath. There must be an election not too far off.

Well Ruby TRIED to wimper near the end. Don't know if you heard it.

But her lawyer was trying show 'paper' evidence. It was amature hour with Ruby and her lawyer.

I love the guy who asked 'I notice there's no Liberal Party signs'.

The reporters asked good questions: "were these people working in that house without papers" and the question was avoided. It really was amature hour. "I advised my client not to speak" like this is Islam or something. So 3rd world and enjoyable at that. You may not speak! Lol..

HELLO! She's a f'cking MP in Canada and this is a personal issue of hers of course she can speak. Oh well, the 'little woman' isn't allowed to speak.

So we have 2 nanny's and another coming fwd that are all lying I guess.

Like HELLO!!! Of COURSE they are going to sign that things are OK or they wont get paid. Kind of like your friend Mehar Arar, he had to say he wasn't being tortured remember? Then later he turned around and said he was being tortured after they let him go. Same thing.

Do you think these illegal aliens who cannot vote have partisan issues??? Lol!!!

You trust the Sikh, 3rd world ethics of Ruby Dhalla and her family? Do I need to remind you of the Slum Dog Millionair incident where she said it was good that some kid got beat up by local police who snatched her assistants purse? Then the India media made it into an issue then she changed her statements around.

She's a liar, someone who won by 700 votes, someone who was parachuted into her riding, someone who demanded that 'Dr' be put on her campaign signs when she's never even practiced as a Dr. Someone who claimed to be a Bollywood actress, yet got paid $2000 for a flop Canadian movie that our tax dollars funded.

Now we're funding her trips to Punjab and her lifestyle and quite frankly I'm tired of it.

The media wants blood, Canadians want her blood. She's the symbol of the 'ethnic racist girl' who talks out of both sides of her mouth and gets things with a silver platter at our expense. She's an 'ethnic chick hypocrite'. Why do you think the media are so on the offensive with her and her family.

Even the far-left on this very forum completely disregard her as a person and only think of her as a sex object. She has flabby arms and huge hips that she covers very well. Her face is somewhat pretty in a 'demon' or 'evil b**c' sort of way. She is also not the first Sikh woman in parliment. That is insult to the real one.. you know, the one who sits with the Conservative party.

Here is my other prediction. When she gets booted out of the party (the older 'white' men will see to it hopefully), I garutee, absolutely she'll be more famous than ever as an anchor or host on the CTV or some sort of television network in Canada.

I'd like it if she and her family would pack up and get the hell out of Canada because I do NOT promote this sort of slave, human labour treatment in Canada.

These poor phillipino women just trying to send money back home to their parents and kids while they are actually WORKING in Canada (unlike most of the modern immigrants in Canada (as stats show)).

waldo · May 8, 2009

She's about to give a live statement.
I bet she is going to cry and/or whimper.

dude... why is this your latest reply only using normal sized unbolded font?... are you less certain of your unproven accusations toward an innocent... until proven guilty... person. It would appear you lost your bet...

Dhalla and lawyer come out swinging against 'false' nanny claims

really - something (other than mikedavid) does smell here

Dhalla affair doesn't pass the smell test

Something doesn’t smell right in having two former nannies step forward a year after they left the Dhalla family’s employment to suddenly complain about conditions that don’t seem unusually onerous for immigrant workers.

Perhaps I’m being excessively suspicious, but a Conservative hit squad has taken aim at Dhalla for more than a year and her opponent in the last and next election, Parm Gill, has his website up and is a regular tagalong with Immigration Minister Jason Kenney.

The Conservatives dearly want Dhalla to lose her seat in the next election -- and procuring this sort of scandal is perfect takedown material.

waldo · May 8, 2009

These poor phillipino women just trying to send money back home to their parents and kids while they are actually WORKING in Canada (unlike most of the modern immigrants in Canada (as stats show)).

are you able to channel your outrage towards providing comparative wage rates, inclusive of room and board?

madmax · May 8, 2009

Why would I need to, this is only what this forum is about these days

LOL

madmax · May 8, 2009

Brace yourselves! I'm about to trigger the flames!

Got my fire extinguisher handy when you need it

It likely is cultural!

Heh, heh heh, I smell something ...

I've worked beside many people from India and surrounding countries. Getting desperate people to work for less than minimums is quite common. I personally worked at a firm in Toronto where the owner would use people from refugee families at less than minimum wage, treating them abominably, by the standards of my own culture.

Is there a kettle around and a pot.... ?

When it's cultural it sadly is not always a conscious act.

I was with you till here. I Think even if it was cultural it was a conscious act.

I don't personally know Ms Ruby D so of course I have no way of knowing for sure in her own particular case. I just thought I'd mention it.
Those who believe that all cultures are the same no doubt will be appalled at my words but hey, I've witnessed it for myself on a number of occasions.

It's real! Deal with it!

Puts fire extinguisher down.... save it for a rainy day.

No Wild Bill, I don't think you will get flamed for those comments....

madmax · May 8, 2009

dude... why is this your latest reply only using normal sized unbolded font?... are you less certain of your unproven accusations toward an innocent... until proven guilty... person. It would appear you lost your bet...
Dhalla and lawyer come out swinging against 'false' nanny claims

really - something (other than mikedavid) does smell here

I expected her to launch a full out defence. But I am leary of someone who is accused of abuse, suggesting that they want to help those affected by the illegal activity they are accused of.

I would not be surprised if there are other factors involved. I would not be surprised to see the accused get off.

But this needs to be about doing what is right... and I am troubled by all those who think that the immigrant workers are lying, because likely it has taken this long for their voices to be heard.

It isn't like the CPC are responsible for the handling of the file by the Ontario Liberals. The Ontario Liberals dropped the ball on this on their own.

capricorn · May 8, 2009

I expected her to launch a full out defence. But I am leary of someone who is accused of abuse, suggesting that they want to help those affected by the illegal activity they are accused of.
I would not be surprised if there are other factors involved. I would not be surprised to see the accused get off.

From the press conference held by Dhalla and her lawyer this afternoon, her line of defence has been clearly drawn. She was not the employer, it was Dhalla's brother. Yes madmax, the accused may get off on a technicality. But will the smell go away.

But this needs to be about doing what is right... and I am troubled by all those who think that the immigrant workers are lying, because likely it has taken this long for their voices to be heard.

Had the two Liberal MPPs not held a public forum to address domestic foreign workers about their experiences, quite likely these nannies would not have come forward with the allegations about the Dhalla household and this whole matter would not have made the news.

It isn't like the CPC are responsible for the handling of the file by the Ontario Liberals. The Ontario Liberals dropped the ball on this on their own.

Fonseca and Wynne are not yet out of the woods on this one.

jdobbin · May 8, 2009

I have no commented thus far on this because I haven't heard or seen anything that tells one way or the other if the allegations are true or not. It certainly has some Conservatives convinced she is guilty.

Even some journalists who generally don't have high opinions of the Liberals have said the attacks are aggressive and don't pass the smell test. In other words, without any evidence, the allegations are regarded as fact.

Dhalla certainly should answer some questions. However, so should her accusers. And those that want to smear her had better watch out for the weapon of choice in this Parliament: A lawsuit.