Born and raised in Manitoba, Ruby Dhalla graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a Bachelor of Science. In 1995, Ruby moved to Toronto to pursue her studies as a Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine, graduating in 1999. Since then, Dr. Dhalla has been engaged in private practice and is currently the owner of a chain of rehabilitation health care clinics in the Greater Toronto Area.

Dr. Dhalla has been extensively involved in numerous volunteer activities within the South Asian Community and in health care advocacy. A member of ACTRA, Dr. Dhalla has acted in feature films, television and commercials throughout North America.

She has been involved at many levels of the Liberal Party of Canada. In 1988, she began volunteering for her local candidate David Walker in his successful bid to become the Member of Parliament for Winnipeg North Centre, hitherto a CCF/NDP stronghold since 1921. In 1989, Ruby was one of the youngest Liberals to co-chair a senior party AGM.

She has been chair for the Multiculturalism Committee for the Young Liberals of Canada and was appointed to the National Women’s Commission under former Prime Minister John Chretien. Ruby subsequently volunteered her assistance in Prime Minister Paul Martin's leadership campaign.

She says she believes the South Asian community has an important role to play in the political process and South Asians in Canada have a lot to be proud of.