On the heels of being given a new advisory role in Michael Ignatieff's shadow cabinet, and in response to a Toronto Star report that she is considering switching sides, Liberal MP Ruby Dhalla issued the following statement:

I am not crossing the floor. I have been a Liberal since I was 12 and continue to be a proud Liberal. As a young woman in politics, I have chosen to focus my energy and efforts on helping my constituents and advancing issues that are important to youth, women, and seniors. My main priority as a Member of Parliament is to ensure that the voice of my constituents in Brampton Springdale is heard in Parliament. It is for this reason I brought forward Bill C-428 as a Private Members Bill.

Politics is about exchanging ideas and developing solutions to address the needs and challenges faced by the community. I hope that by bringing this Bill forward it brings to light the need for immediate action and solutions for the issue of poverty, seniors, pensions and the challenges faced by new immigrants and all Canadians.