Will Ruby Dhalla Survive this Political Scandal?

jdobbin · May 9, 2009

IMV, private citizens are entitled to the presumption of innocence, not politicians who choose the public stage.

So you think that Harper's lawsuit against the Liberals shouldn't have happened?

Oleg Bach · May 9, 2009

So you think that Harper's lawsuit against the Liberals shouldn't have happened?

Harpers law suit worked out just fine - They had a good group of skilled lawyers on both sides who dug up the dirt on both sides and called a truce...as for Ruby - You do not come to Canada - in order to join what she believes is the upper class by the subjugation of the weak - Gandi is rolling in his grave as I write. I am not impressed in cut throat opportunist who's prime goal is to exault themselves at the expense of all others - She is not a good public servant - she does not know or care to serve!

Smallc · May 9, 2009

I simply am not glossing over the secrecy of the Chretien government

I'm not saying that the Chretien government wasn't secretive, but the Commissioner says that this government is more secretive than any government in decades.

Keepitsimple · May 9, 2009

Other than the allegations themselves, what is most damaging is that this story originated with The Star - and they have been thoroughly following it up on the front pages. We all know that The Star is anything but a lover of Conservatism and has often been called a Liberal mouthpiece......I'd like to see the story - and the facts - unfold a little more...but if the "truth" is anywhere near the allegations, I think it will be many years before Ruby makes it back to the political limelight

ironstone · May 9, 2009

I think she'll have no problem surviving this.Like I have posted before,she is a member of the Liberal Party of Canada and has friends in high places,even if she is sitting on the opposition side.There was a similar incident a few years ago involving Judy Sgro.This man who was accusing her of impropriety admittedly was a shady character who had been successfully fighting deportation for years.No doubt he should have been given the boot from Canada long before this incident.If memory serves me correctly,he was deported soon after this affair.The Liberals are the overwhelming choice for immigrants in this country(wrongly so) but the moral of the story is,DO NOT cross a member of the Liberal Party of Canada.Do so at your own risk.

Judging by the photo in today's Ottawa Citizen of Ruby Dhalla with a smirk on her face sitting beside her high priced attorney,she doesn't look the least bit concerned.The one's who should now be concerned are the nannies.

ironstone · May 9, 2009

You mean, like Teflon?
Except... they lie. About the most important things.

They climb on a moral high horse, and before the words have fully left their mouths, do the very thing they condemned, except bigger and moreso, and absolutely deliberately.

I'll never, ever forgivethe Emerson affair, and I'll never forget the Cadman affair.

IMO, that's not clean. It sets a new standard for foul.

The Emerson affair?The Cadman affair?!!These incidents you mention absolutely pale in comparison to the shenanigans of the sleazy Chretien government.Get real!

capricorn · May 10, 2009

As long as the situation regarding Dhalla remains unresolved, the Liberals are without a Youth and Multiculturalism critic. And even though Dhalla may be cleared of the allegations made against her, would it be wise for Ignatieff to let her resume those duties? Regardless of the difficulties facing Dhalla, Parliament's work continues and the official opposition must keep the Conservatives to account on issues relating to youth and multiculturalism. Surely Ignatieff and the Liberal caucus would not want that post vacant for too long.

Shady · May 10, 2009

Oh the irony. The Liberal multicultural critic, exploiting multicultural Canadians. :lol:

Anyways, to answer the question as to whether she'll survive. Nope, she's done. It's just a matter of time.

SSD · May 11, 2009

Come just before the next election, if Dhalla's case is not resolved, it would be best for her to resign and let some "star" fill in for her riding. That would be the smartest move rather than for her to lose even if she could be innocent. Also, it would prevent the Liberals from losing an important riding in the most important area in the country in the next election (the 905 could decide who forms the next election).

scribblet · May 11, 2009

Well, the movie that is now out could be the finishing touch - however I doubt that any of this will have any affect whatsoever on any election outcome.

Molly · May 11, 2009

The Emerson affair?The Cadman affair?!!These incidents you mention absolutely pale in comparison to the shenanigans of the sleazy Chretien government.Get real!

In your opinion.

The Cadman thing was just cheap and sleazy and predictable. The Emerson thing was an upending of the very foundations of democracy--- more than just misrepresentation, it was a, sniggering, smirking "F*** you!" to the citizens of Canada, an act of bloody treason, and people should be in jail for it, not in government. The smugness over having gotten away with it should dispell any illusions that they bear integrity, if, of course, one might actually bear such illusions anyway, given their apparent unfamiliarity with any principle but their own hands on the reins of power.

... and I await the rest of the O'Brien story.

If these guys are 'the cleanest in recent memory', it's only by virtue of being too slippery for muck to find purchase.

Topaz · May 11, 2009

IF Dhalla did anything wrong I'm sure the Tories on the committee will get to the bottom, unlike, the committee tried to get tto the bottom of scams of the Tories themselves! By her words and of her lawyer's, she had basically nothing to do with the workers except help them connect to her brother. Her lawyer said she was only at the house 3 times during the year,BUT I waiting for the hearing to make up my mind 100%. If the Ag minister can keep his job after people dying of tainted meat, then she'll be back unless the Libs decide against it, then why would they?

Oleg Bach · May 11, 2009

I don't like a person that has three servants and does not pay them well - and actually believes that she is better than her percieved lessors//// She is not! I say let arrogance and contempt for humanity find another place to operate other than in public service - Power is not about domination - it is about the generation of power to all.

Sir Bandelot · May 11, 2009

"Goodbye, Ruby Tuesday..."

Why are you peple going on and on about this. This is the state of Cand-ian politics

Rue · May 11, 2009

Now lets see under window no.1, is some spoiled privileged rich girl and in window no.2 are some lying sob's trying to get Canadian citizenship the quick way.

They deserve each other.

madmax · May 12, 2009

Dhalla won't quit. Nor will she lose her seat over this.

I read the transcripts offered up by the Star.

She is evasive. I don't believe a single word out of her mouth. It doesn't add up. I think that it is the Nanny's who tried to speak out that are going to pay the price.

There is no "conspiracy". For Dhalla supporters to throw this bunk out there just shows how people are willing to defend those who have lost sight of treating people with decency and not use their political power and wealth as a means to exploit immigrant workers.

The whole system makes me sick.

A Liberal using it to their advantage doesn't surprise me.

My question is

SHOULD SHE RESIGN??? not will she...

Edited May 12, 2009 by madmax

Topaz · May 13, 2009

Dhalla won't quit. Nor will she lose her seat over this.
I read the transcripts offered up by the Star.

She is evasive. I don't believe a single word out of her mouth. It doesn't add up. I think that it is the Nanny's who tried to speak out that are going to pay the price.

There is no "conspiracy". For Dhalla supporters to throw this bunk out there just shows how people are willing to defend those who have lost sight of treating people with decency and not use their political power and wealth as a means to exploit immigrant workers.

The whole system makes me sick.

A Liberal using it to their advantage doesn't surprise me.

My question is

SHOULD SHE RESIGN??? not will she...

What IS the truth you or I don't really know and the Tories also have an advantage to this also. Remember how they linked Goodale to a leak out of his office ,before the election of '06 knowing there was no truth to it? Kenney has been seen with the tory that lost to Ruby and Kenney has even taken him over to India with him. Ruby beat him by 800 votes a close race. We all know now the Tories will do anything to win a vote and this time they are going to have a real fight on their hands.

M.Dancer · May 13, 2009

What IS the truth you or I don't really know and the Tories also have an advantage to this also. Remember how they linked Goodale to a leak out of his office ,before the election of '06 knowing there was no truth to it? Kenney has been seen with the tory that lost to Ruby and Kenney has even taken him over to India with him. Ruby beat him by 800 votes a close race. We all know now the Tories will do anything to win a vote and this time they are going to have a real fight on their hands.

Two Torys seen together? My God That's Damning Evidence!!!!

Goodale Linked to a Leak, from his Own Office? How could They!!!

August1991 · May 13, 2009

She is evasive. I don't believe a single word out of her mouth. It doesn't add up. I think that it is the Nanny's who tried to speak out that are going to pay the price.

I watched her statement on CTV and IMV, it had all the makings of a "Checkers Speech".

----

I don't like the argument of presumption of innocence because that misses the point. Either the nannies are lying or Dhalla is.

And that was the question put to Michael Ignatieff:

Question: (Inaudible) seemed to be saying that the nannies or caregivers are lying. If you accept her story, do you accept that they were lying?
Michael Ignatieff: I’m not going to characterize anybody’s testimony in that manner. It seems to me that what has happened shows that our system works. Allegations have been made about a Member of Parliament. The persons who made those allegations have come to Parliament, been allowed to testify. They’ve done so. The public will judge and then the question will then follow as to whether there needs to be any further action taken by either the federal or provincial governments. And I have asked Ruby and she’s accepted to be fully transparent and appear before committee. I don’t want to characterize anybody’s testimony here. The system is working the way it should. And, as I say, it gives us all something to think about here. We want to be absolutely sure that people who provide care either to the very young or very old and come to Canada on visas never are subjected to any form of misuse or abuse or mistreatment relating to their visa status.

Question: Who do you believe, the nannies or Ms. Dhalla?

Michael Ignatieff: My view is that Ms. Dhalla made a very clear defence of her position and she has – and what she said today is consistent with what she has told me.

Question: But that’s not quite an answer to that question, sir. I mean you talked about a full and vigorous defence. You haven’t quite offered her the same thing. Why is that?

Michael Ignatieff: I’ve given her a very strong defence of her position. But the facts of the matter are that a member of my caucus has been accused of a serious, serious issue. She’s mounted a vigorous and convincing defence of the accusations and I take her at her word. But the point I’m trying to make here is that in this difficult story we must not lose sight of the fundamental issue of policy which is that people who come to this country on this visa status must never be abused. And it my belief that they were not abused in this case. But we want to make darn sure that we don’t have unpleasant stories like this again.

Question: So you take her at her word but not the nannies? You can’t have both.

Michael Ignatieff: Merci.

Macleans Edited May 13, 2009 by August1991

Topaz · May 13, 2009

No one can say with proof that she is lying and so we have she said/she said problem. Yes we can have her guilty in our minds but she shouldn't lose her job if she can't be found 100% guilty. What works for the Tories can work for the Libs, NDP and the Bloc! Beside it will be up to the voters in her area to be the judge.

August1991 · May 13, 2009

No one can say with proof that she is lying and so we have she said/she said problem.

True, and perhaps some incontrovertible evidence will surface to decide who is lying.

Three nannies have made clkaims of mistreatment but I noticed that Dhalla only defended herself against one of the nannies.

Anyway, Dhalla is no Nixon and her statement before the committee today was no Checkers speech. I would say that she does not have the public's sympathy.

From my perspective, she is a very ambitious woman who is prepared to say anything to keep her position. I think it was a mistake to claim that her brother/mother had all the dealings with the nannies.

-----

This is not a minor scandal. It strikes at the heart of Liberal hypocrisy. They say one thing in public but do the exact opposite in private. They claim to care for the little guy when in fact all they care for is themselves.

jdobbin · May 13, 2009

I don't like the argument of presumption of innocence because that misses the point.

Yes, I can imagine you wouldn't want to hear the argument of presumption of innocence.

Try this court.

jdobbin · May 13, 2009

It strikes at the heart of Liberal hypocrisy. They say one thing in public but do the exact opposite in private. They claim to care for the little guy when in fact all they care for is themselves.

This is an example of mad dog frothy mouthed sociopathic behavoiur of right wingers who are prepared to smear. Produce some evidence in court or it is you who is the liar.

Who's Doing What? · May 13, 2009

I want to see this "sex tape" lol.

Keepitsimple · May 13, 2009

I saw the Ruby show today and although there may be room for inaccuracies from both sides, it sounded very dubious when she said that she had nothing to do with ANYTHING - that it was ALL her brother and mother. I'll wait to see how things unfold a bit more but it's not looking good on her so far. It seems to me that there have to be several other "caregivers" who have worked at the Dhalla household - the three complainants were short term......so it would be nice if Ruby could bring forward a list of other caregivers who could support her story of providing a caring, respectful environment.

Edited May 13, 2009 by Keepitsimple