Bad timing for Ruby Dhalla?

There seems to be a fine line between a slave and a caregiver. The former Liberal critic for youth and multiculturalism, Ruby Dhalla has been accused of hiring two foreign caregivers illegally and mistreating them.

The two women were hired to care for Dhalla's mother in early 2008. But instead of doing care-giving work, they say they spend 12 to 16 hours a day, five days a week, doing manual labour for only $250 a week. Some of the work duties included, shining shoes, washing cars and cleaning Dhalla's brother Neil's chiropractic clinics. The two employees also claimed their passports were taken from them. Yup, that's right, the Dhalla family had seized their passports. this has trouble written all over it. Clearly, these two employees were not hired to offer care.

Ruby Dhalla consistently denies the allegations and says she is "shocked and appalled."

In her defense, I can see how someone would take advantage of the situation to get some extra money. . . and maybe even five minutes of fame.

But, the awkwardness surfaces when people who support Dhalla start scratching their heads, asking themselves "why did she resign" As of March 6th 2009 Ontario MP, Ruby Dhalla resigned in order to, as she puts it, "focus attention on clearing her name."

Timing is everything.