Yes, I will.
Evidence of meeting #16 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 40th Parliament, 2nd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was asked.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #16 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 40th Parliament, 2nd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was asked.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
Thank you very much.
We know the rules.
Ms. Mendes has seven minutes.
Liberal
Alexandra Mendes Liberal Brossard—La Prairie, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you very much, Ms. Dhalla--Ruby. Thank you for sharing this story with us and for putting it in such a straightforward manner. I think it clarifies a lot of things.
To your knowledge, are you the subject of any formal complaint or investigation regarding these allegations?
Liberal
Ruby Dhalla Liberal Brampton—Springdale, ON
No, I am not, aside from all of the innuendo and allegations that have been written in the newspapers.
Liberal
Alexandra Mendes Liberal Brossard—La Prairie, QC
And to your knowledge, are any members of your family the subject of any formal complaint or investigation regarding these allegations?
Liberal
Ruby Dhalla Liberal Brampton—Springdale, ON
No. Other than what's been written in the newspapers, there is nothing.
Liberal
Alexandra Mendes Liberal Brossard—La Prairie, QC
Dr. Dhalla, did you ever sign a service contract of any kind with Ms. Taniguchi, or with either Ms. Gordo or Ms. Tongson?
Liberal
Alexandra Mendes Liberal Brossard—La Prairie, QC
Thank you.
Ms. Gordo claims you made an under-the-table payment to Lyda Alvarez on February 1, 2008. Can you share any details about this payment?
Liberal
Ruby Dhalla Liberal Brampton—Springdale, ON
February 1 was a Friday. It was a constituency day. I would like to know what time she said that was made, because I was at my constituency appointments.
I saw the first caregiver on my way out. I had woken up and come downstairs. I never brought it with me, but my mom actually gave her a shawl as a going-away present. My mom gave her a shawl. I said goodbye to her. She asked if she could take a picture with me. I said that was fine. That picture was taken. Then I went upstairs, changed, and went straight to the office. I had a completely full day of appointments at the office, and I have documents to show that as well.
Liberal
Alexandra Mendes Liberal Brossard—La Prairie, QC
Dr. Dhalla, did you hire either Ms. Gordo or Ms. Tongson? Was it you who hired them?
Liberal
Ruby Dhalla Liberal Brampton—Springdale, ON
No, I did not hire them. I have not interviewed them, I have not employed them, and I have not sponsored them.
Liberal
Alexandra Mendes Liberal Brossard—La Prairie, QC
Did you ever ask either Ms. Gordo or Ms. Tongson to shovel snow?
Liberal
Ruby Dhalla Liberal Brampton—Springdale, ON
No. In the eleven days that the first caregiver worked, I was only home for a period of three days. And I have boarding cards, as I have said, to prove the fact that I wasn't even physically in the GTA.
When I am in the GTA, I have a very busy constituency office, which is my first priority. I am very busy in the community.
In terms of the third caregiver, who worked for, I believe, a period of three months, out of the three months, I was home for approximately ten days. Hence, the allegations that have been made against me personally have come as a very big shock, because I physically wasn't even in the city.
Liberal
Alexandra Mendes Liberal Brossard—La Prairie, QC
Dr. Dhalla, did you ever insist that either Ms. Gordo or Ms. Tongson scrub the floors on their hands and knees?
Liberal
Ruby Dhalla Liberal Brampton—Springdale, ON
No. To be honest, in my time that I am even at home I am always busy with constituency appointments. I usually leave my house around 8:30 or 9:00 in the morning and sometimes don't get back from events until 11 o'clock. On a weekend they were never there, but even on a weekend I do anywhere from 20 to 30 events.
Liberal
Alexandra Mendes Liberal Brossard—La Prairie, QC
Did you ever ask Ms. Gordo or Ms. Tongson to shampoo rugs?
Liberal
Ruby Dhalla Liberal Brampton—Springdale, ON
No, I have not done that. The whole main floor of our home is actually all hardwood floors.
Liberal
Alexandra Mendes Liberal Brossard—La Prairie, QC
It was alleged by both Ms. Gordo and Ms. Tongson that you asked them to clean your cousin's apartment. Can you confirm or deny that?
Liberal
Ruby Dhalla Liberal Brampton—Springdale, ON
I'm a little bit surprised. I think when I was watching the testimony earlier they were saying that my cousin had cooked dinner at her apartment for both myself and the caregiver. Unfortunately, with my busy life I haven't even been to my cousin's apartment, ever in my life.
Liberal
Alexandra Mendes Liberal Brossard—La Prairie, QC
Dr. Dhalla, did you ever ask either Ms. Gordo or Ms. Tongson to wash cars owned by your family?
Liberal
Ruby Dhalla Liberal Brampton—Springdale, ON
No. The cars and vehicles that we have are actually washed at car washes. Once again, I have not done that. I had very limited interaction with the caregivers.
Liberal
Alexandra Mendes Liberal Brossard—La Prairie, QC
Did you ever ask either Ms. Gordo or Ms. Tongson to clean your cousin Sonia's apartment?
Liberal
Alexandra Mendes Liberal Brossard—La Prairie, QC
Did you ever ask either Ms. Gordo or Ms. Tongson to surrender their passports or other documentation to you?