Liberal leadership hopeful Ruby Dhalla says she wants a translator for French debate

By Canadian Press on February 10, 2025.

OTTAWA — Liberal leadership candidate Ruby Dhalla says that while she’s still working on her French skills, she plans to ask for a translator to help her in the party’s upcoming French-language debate.

Dhalla is one of the five leadership candidates who will face off in two debates in Montreal later this month, one in French and another in English.

She says she plans to appear at the French debate in Montreal on Feb. 24 and make her opening and closing statements in French, despite not having mastered the language.

Dhalla says she also plans to announce a two-week cross-country tour in the coming days as she seeks to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the helm of the party.

The former Paul Martin-era Liberal MP tells The Canadian Press there are thousands of Liberals like her who want to see the party move back to the centre.

She says she thinks she’s the best candidate to take on President Donald Trump and believes the leadership race will come down to her and former central bank governor Mark Carney.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 10, 2025.

Kyle Duggan, The Canadian Press