In defence of Ruby Dhalla (yeah, you heard right!):Jason Kenney carries on his crusade against "multi-culturalism", and today the Cons - with their new friends, the NDP (or should we say "socialist coalition partners"?) - decide they'll accuse another visible minority MP from a suburban riding (remember the Navdeep Bains attacks - which turned out to be a bunch of Conservative lies?), of actions which haven't even been evidenced in any sort of a hearing yet.
In the Dhalla situation, I will wait to see what transpires in a judicial hearing or - more likely - labor board tribunal. It was very good of Ms. Dhalla to step down from role as a critic (as these allegations are quite serious). As Liberals, we don't have to fight such things "tooth n' nail" - we have much more talent than the Conservatives, and the post will quite easily be filled. If Ms. Dhalla, or any other politician is found to have contravened regulations in such a manner, then - of course, they need to pay the fines/levies/back salaries, etc., required.
One KEY FACT to note: Ruby lives within an extended family - something quite commonplace among South Asians and new Canadians in general. She has quite clearly stated she had no role in the hiring, supervision, etc., of these folks. I believe that. In a South Asian home, the eldest male or female (usually male) is the head of household. They householder would be the one paying the bills, supervising, and spending most of their day with the servants. This is the same way it works in India. Ruby is probably innocent of anything here, but due to her public persona, is being vilified. Ruby also spends very little time at home - next to none - and probably hardly ever saw these employees "of the family"...
Without a proper understanding of extended family households in the South Asian community, one cannot claim any wrongdoing had anything to do with Ruby - whatsoever. Disgruntled ex-employees often claim things. They often conspire to attack their former employer, or perceived employer. This all is left to be proven (or disproven)... I live in an extended household, and there are literally thousands of financial and social transactions carried on by my family members (who are all active in various business interests, cultural foundations, clubs, etc.). It would be ridiculous for me to bear any responsibility for the actions of someone ranging from a brother, sister, parent, or grandparent who just happen to reside at the same address...
I guess this was a post in defence of Ms. Dhalla. So be it.
