"Obviously the decision about the
cabinet is one that's made in Ottawa but we are extremely
pleased to even be considered for such a position,"
said Andrew Lopez, communications chair for Dhalla.
"Both the Globe & Mail and Toronto Star
newspapers mentioned Ruby as a possible cabinet member,
as well as the Daily in Ottawa. But whether she is
taken or not, we are just happy that we are being
considered.
Since healthcare is a primary issue in Canada,
Dhalla makes a useful addition to Liberal political
fortunes, embattled as the party is with a minority
government and a citizenry fed-up with unfulfilled
promises so far as quality socialised medicine is
concerned. "As a chiropractor, I have a very
good understanding of some of the issues, the concerns
and the challenges that healthcare professionals
face," Dhalla has said to media and in public.
"When I went door to door that is what the
constituents saw, that I really understood what
are some of the needs in healthcare."
"I was just a l0-year-old girl
when I first dreamed of being an MP, a voice for my
community, a voice for our Canada.
Born and raised in Manitoba, Ruby
Dhalla graduated from the University of Winnipeg with
a Bachelor of Science. In 1995, she moved to Toronto
to pursue her studies as a Doctor of Chiropractic
Medicine, graduating in 1999. Since then, Dr. Dhalla
has been engaged in private practice and is currently
the owner of a chain of rehabilitation health care
clinics in the Greater Toronto Area.
Dr. Dhalla has been extensively involved
in numerous volunteer activities within the South
Asian Community and in health care advocacy. A member
of ACTRA, Dr. Dhalla has acted in feature films, television
and commercials throughout North America. She wrote
to then Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi to deal
intelligently with the troubles brewing in Punjab
and even received a reply.
She has been involved at many levels
of the Liberal Party of Canada. In 1988, she began
volunteering for her local candidate David Walker
in his successful bid to become the Member of Parliament
for Winnipeg North Centre, hitherto a CCF/NDP stronghold
since 1921. In 1989, she was one of the youngest Liberals
to co-chair a senior party annual general meeting.
Ruby was 12 when she was selected
for a trip to Ottawa from Winnipeg. She was in many
debates in her school and got so many awards in science.
All of Winnipeg knew her.
She has been chair for the Multiculturalism
Committee for the Young Liberals of Canada and was
appointed to the National Womens Commission
under former Prime Minister John Chrétien.
She subsequently volunteered her assistance in Prime
Minister Paul Martin's leadership campaign.