Former Indo-Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) Ruby Dhalla has officially entered the race to lead the Liberal Party, pledging to become Canada’s first prime minister of colour.
In a statement on social media, Dhalla outlined her stance on illegal immigration, vowing to deport undocumented immigrants and intensify efforts against human trafficking if elected.
“As prime minister, I will deport illegal immigrants and clamp down on human traffickers. That’s my promise to you,” she declared in an Instagram video.
Dhalla also framed her candidacy as a historic opportunity: “We are on the verge of making history by electing the first woman of colour as leader of the Liberal Party and the next prime minister of Canada.”
Campaign Vision and Positioning
With the leadership race now advancing to the next phase, Dhalla emphasized the importance of engaging with party members across the country. “Phase 1 is over. We now move to Phase 2, where we connect with Liberals nationwide who have signed up as members of our party,” she said.
She dismissed any suggestion that her candidacy was driven by personal ambition. “I am not running for the leadership because I need a job. I am here because I believe in the future of our party and our country. We must bring the Liberal Party back to the center, with policies that help ordinary Canadians succeed and flourish,” she stated.
Dhalla faces stiff competition from high-profile candidates, including former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney and former finance minister Chrystia Freeland.
Positioning herself as a challenger to the current government, Dhalla argued that Canadians are seeking a break from the status quo. “Canadians don’t want Trudeau 2.0. To defeat the Conservatives, we need real change,” she tweeted.
Her hardline stance on illegal immigration has drawn comparisons to former U.S. President Donald Trump, earning her the nickname “Female Donald Trump.”
Political Background and Leadership Aspirations
A prominent figure in the Liberal leadership race, Dhalla previously served as MP for Brampton-Springdale from 2004 to 2011. She was the first woman of Indian origin to be elected to Canada’s Parliament and one of the first Sikh women to serve in the House of Commons.
The Liberal Party leadership race will conclude on March 9, 2025, when the party selects its new leader and Canada’s potential next prime minister.
