Canada PoliticsRuby Dhalla explains weekend announcement not to run in next federal election
Usually, politicians have announcements to — well — announce something new such as a run for public office.
Maybe that’s why former Liberal MP Ruby Dhalla’s weekend event is causing so much confusion.
On Saturday, Dhalla posted this note on to her Facebook page:
"Dear Friends and supporters…I would like to personally invite you for a special announcement I will be making tomorrow Sunday October 5, 2014 at 2pm sharp at Pearson Convention Center (boardrooms) located at Airport and Steeles. Please feel free to invite family and friends and pass this invite along to fellow team members! Your support is appreciated. I look forward to seeing you. Best Dr. Ruby Dhalla and team"
According to CTV News, about 60 people showed up on Sunday for the event to hear Dhalla say that she wouldn’t be running.
"As she spoke, Dhalla was surrounded by posters which had the Liberal Party name blacked out," noted the CTV report.
"When Dhalla finished speaking, the event emcee took the microphone and said: ‘That’s not the announcement we were expecting.’"
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Dr. Dhalla was a Liberal MP in Brampton, Ontario from 2004 to 2011. For some time, it was rumoured that the chiropractor, former actress and Miss India Canada runner-up was eyeing a return to politics.
But now, her decision to organize an event to say she’s not running has elicited suggestions that the Liberal Party took 11th hour steps to block her candidacy.
The Liberals — who have been accused of interfering in other nomination races — deny it and so does Dhalla.
"I have dedicated much of my childhood and youth to Public Service. However there comes a time in life where we must take the road less travelled and embark on new ventures and new opportunities. So my decision to not run has been something I have reflected on extensively and given much thought to,” Dhalla wrote in a Facebook post on Monday afternoon.
"There was tremendous pressure and support to run in Brampton. As everyday went by the support was growing and the pressure increasing. Out of fairness and respect I made the decision to not prolong sharing the decision any longer. At that point given the respect and gratitude for my volunteers and supporters I thought the right and respectful thing to do would be to share the decision in person and tell them face to face.
"The liberal party has always promoted women, youth and the voices of ethnic communities this is why we must continue our work to elect Justin Trudeau as the next PM."
(Photo via The Canadian Press)
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