AZAM Ishmael, Liberal Party of Canada National Director, in a statement on Friday announced that the Liberal Leadership Vote Committee has unanimously made the decision to disqualify Ruby Dhalla from the 2025 Liberal Leadership race, adding that the decision followed an extensive process and review, including interviews, questionnaires, and an opportunity for Dhalla to directly address the committees.

Ishmael said: “After a thorough investigation, the Leadership Vote Committee and the Leadership Expense Committee, sitting jointly, unanimously determined that Dr. Dhalla was in breach of 10 violations of the National Leadership Rules, Leadership Vote Rules, and the Leadership Expense Rules. The violations include concerns about alleged violations of the Canada Elections Act, certain other election finance matters, non-disclosure of material facts, and inaccurate financial reporting.”

He added: “The Leadership Vote Committee determined that the violations were extremely serious, accepted the recommendation of the Chief Electoral Officer and disqualified Dr. Dhalla under section 8(i) of the National Leadership Rules.”

MEANWHILE, Dhalla said in a statement posted on X: “I have just been informed by the Liberal Party of Canada that I have been disqualified from the leadership race. This decision is both shocking and deeply disappointing, especially since it was leaked to the media.

“The allegations that the party have used against me are false, & fabricated. The tactics used to remove me from this race only confirm what we already knew—our message was resonating, we were winning, and the establishment felt threatened.

“One day it was foreign interference, one day it was campaign violations – all in an attempt to keep me from debating Carney and winning.

“I will continue to stand up for Canadians & fight for Canada.”