The controversy involving Liberal MP Ruby Dhalla spilled over into the Ontario legislature Wednesday as the Opposition demanded the labour minister resign for failing to investigate complaints from two domestic workers.
Dhalla, the MP for Toronto-area riding Brampton-Springdale, has become embroiled in a family labour dispute that involves allegations made by two live-in caregivers hired to look after Dhalla’s mother.
The women told their stories to Labour Minister Peter Fonseca and Education Minister Kathleen Wynne during a roundtable discussion last month, and were advised to call in their complaint to a toll-free government hotline.
Ontario Progressive Conservative critic Lisa MacLeod demanded Fonseca’s resignation, saying the Liberal failed as a minister when he didn’t follow up on the allegations against Dhalla. Ontario’s New Democrats stopped short of calling for Fonseca’s resignation, but said it was his legal responsibility to act on the complaints.
Fonseca said he heard many stories from caregivers in roundtable discussions he initiated.
