Former Brampton MP Says She’s Still Learning French but Will Participate in Montreal Debate
Liberal leadership candidate Ruby Dhalla has confirmed she will take part in the party’s upcoming French-language debate in Montreal on February 24, despite not being fluent in the language. The former Brampton-Springdale MP, who is among five candidates vying to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, said she will deliver her opening and closing remarks in French but will rely on a translator for the rest of the debate.
Dhalla acknowledged that French proficiency is important, but insisted that she represents thousands of Liberals who want the party to move back to the centre. She is set to embark on a two-week cross-country tour in the coming days to build momentum for her campaign, which she says will focus on restoring party unity and tackling key domestic and international issues.
The former Paul Martin-era MP believes the Liberal leadership race will ultimately come down to her and former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney. She also positioned herself as the best candidate to take on U.S. President Donald Trump, emphasizing her commitment to strong economic policies and Canadian sovereignty.
With her campaign slogan, “Canada’s comeback starts now,” Dhalla has pledged to fix domestic challenges while strengthening Canada’s position on the world stage.
“I will fix what is broken at home, and I will fight for Canada and Canadians on the world stage,” she said.
In a move that has drawn both support and criticism, Dhalla has vowed to “deport every illegal immigrant in Canada” if she becomes Prime Minister. This hardline stance has set her apart from her competitors, though it remains to be seen how it will resonate with Liberal voters.
Dhalla, first elected in 2004, held onto Brampton-Springdale in 2006 and 2008 but lost in 2011 following allegations that she had mistreated two caregivers employed in her family’s Mississauga home. The controversy led her to step down as Liberal Youth and Multiculturalism Critic in 2009, though she has consistently maintained that the accusations were part of a politically motivated smear campaign.
As the Liberal leadership race intensifies, Dhalla is set to test her ability to reconnect with party members and redefine her political future in what promises to be a highly competitive contest.