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Amir Khadir: Royal Couple Are 'Parasites'

Amir Khadir Royal Couple

First Posted: 05/31/11 05:30 PM ET Updated: 07/31/11 06:12 AM ET

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CBC -- Quebec politician Amir Khadir is not pleased the royal newlyweds will be visiting Montreal and Quebec City during their upcoming 9-day Canadian tour.

Khadir, who is a member of Quebec's national assembly (MNA) and co-leader of Quebec Solidaire, referred to the royals as "parasites" in an interview with the Journal de Québec newspaper.

"What a waste of public money. All this to welcome those parasites," Khadir is quoted as saying in the article.

A portion of the trip's cost will be covered by Quebec taxpayers.

Amir Khadir is quoted in the Journal de Québec calling the royals 'parasites'. Khadir also told the newspaper that he doesn't mind laying out the red carpet for visitors with extraordinary ideas who have done remarkable things, but he finds it insulting to do so for those with royal blood.

Prince William and his wife Kate chose Canada for their first international tour as a married couple. The pair will kick off their Canadian visit in Ottawa, landing on June 30, before heading to Montreal and Quebec City on July 2 and 3.

Protests are already being organized by sovereignty group Réseau de résistance du Québécois (RRQ) to greet the royals in Quebec City.

"The Canadian people and the Quebecer people will pay for that [tour] and we strongly disagree with that," said RRQ spokesperson Julien Gaudreau.

Another group, Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste, is also planning peaceful demonstrations.

Khadir told the Journal de Québec he is not ruling out joining protesters on the streets.

In April, Quebec's International Relations Minister Monique Gagnon-Tremblay announced Quebec would pay a portion of the costs of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's visit, although the amount was yet to be determined.

When Prince Charles visited Montreal in 2009, it cost Quebec taxpayers $25,000.

ADQ leader Gérald Deltell was quick to denounce Khadir's comments Tuesday, saying the remarks are "a great dishonour for us."

Deltell said guests need to be treated with respect, regardless of any personal feelings about the role of the monarchy in Canada.

"You have to respect the tradition when you receive someone who is coming to your country," Deltell said.

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CBC -- Quebec politician Amir Khadir is not pleased the royal newlyweds will be visiting Montreal and Quebec City during their upcoming 9-day Canadian tour. Khadir, who is a member of Quebec's nati...
CBC -- Quebec politician Amir Khadir is not pleased the royal newlyweds will be visiting Montreal and Quebec City during their upcoming 9-day Canadian tour. Khadir, who is a member of Quebec's nati...
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James Turcott
1 Fans
 
03:55 PM on 06/03/2011
Great article Amir, just wait for the unpleasant responses, you said what I firmly believe. :-)
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
ljkcan
I don't let geographical borders limit my thinking
1638 Fans
11:27 AM on 06/02/2011
Well Americans now know that Canada is not perfect.
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joel123
423 Fans
09:41 AM on 06/02/2011
I do agree with Mr. Khadir they are parasites living off of people's taxes. This is not the dark ages or medieval times. The Monarchy should be dissolved.
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nofluff
0 Fans
06:34 AM on 06/02/2011
If Quebec is so concerned about unnecessary cost maybe they should start adding up all the money they have and are spending on the FORCING their culture and language on Canada. They should take example on Eastern Ontario where French and English live in harmony and speak both languages. Didn't cost a dime and it is not a forced union.
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americanuk
26 Fans
01:17 AM on 06/02/2011
what we really need here is a 1776 style revolution. all you royal butt kissers can go to hel. "Canada is a commonwealth country, if you dont like it leave?" Up yours. you want to be a slave to the house of windsor? move to London, jrkoff.
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Russ Powell
3 Fans
01:42 PM on 06/02/2011
AmericanUK?! To drag up the American 1776 revolution to satisfy an arguement which is inherently a Canadian question is bogus. Are you a citizen of the USA, the UK or are you a Canadian. Where do your tax paying loyalties lay? The UK part of your nom de plume should be removed, as if indeed you are British, you would most certainly be one of a very very very small minority in the UK that pays their annual $2 tax toward the constitutional monarchy.

As a Brit with a house in Quebec, I love Canada, our cultural commonalities, family ties, shared business and defence links. My Great Uncle was an Air Commodore in Canada and our family adore that link and all the differences too! J'aime Quebec! Vive la Canada!! I love the French aspect of your country. Dont forget, the British and French have shared Kings and Queens throughout the ages.

As for Mr Amir Khadir, what a great politician. A member of a minority left wing feminist seperatist organisation. Nonetheless, he is part of a thriving, modern and powerful democracy, unlike his far flung family in Iran, who cannot enjoy the same freedoms or rights or standards of living since the Persian Monarchy were sacked.

$2million dollars equates to 6 cents each. Didnt he swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen when he had the privelidge of becoming a citizen of Canada? Didnt he do it again when he joined the National Assembly?
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GeorgieMark
Cogito Ergo Sum
171 Fans
 
02:38 PM on 06/02/2011
In its current form and shape the Monarchy costs 0 Canadian dollars to Canada's tax payers.
In the event of Canada becoming a republic then a presidential office will be set up incurring additional burden to the Canadian budget annually.

Isn't it lovely how people think with their guts instead of their brains?

F
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americanuk
26 Fans
01:15 AM on 06/03/2011
blah, blah, blah. smarmy, pseudo intellectual. my loyalties are to my family, friends, and community. I am a proud CNDN/US dual citizen. German family that thinks the blood flowing through thier veigns is better than ours, will get no allegiance from me. Im ashamed that I have countrymen like you. SUBJECT. think about that word for awhile.
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BongHitsForJesus
2 Fans
07:27 PM on 06/02/2011
This country was largely settled by United Empire Loyalists, those loyal to the crown who migrated to Canada following their persecution by Americans after 1776. They did not want your revolution in 1776 and they did not accede to the US in 1812. Canadians built a kinder, gentler, and more tolerant country and one respected by the rest of the world. We are damn proud of our nation and most of us would hate to see it devolve into a copy of that manic melange of a country to the south of our border.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Brian Gorrell
Is this the 1950's or what?
838 Fans
 
12:00 AM on 06/02/2011
Oh Quebec.
Poor you.
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jwmellott
265 Fans
09:36 PM on 06/01/2011
Just out of curiousity, does Huffpost Canada follow Canadian law restricting free speech by Conservatives?
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Richard Aron
Be the change you wish to see in the world. Gandhi
410 Fans
09:09 PM on 06/01/2011
He definitely has a point. Why Quebec taxpayers would have to pay for those super wealthy kids? Is it just because they are royals? Or is it because Canada is a commonwealth of England?
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jwmellott
265 Fans
09:37 PM on 06/01/2011
Canada is a Commonwealth-- If you don't like it, withdraw.
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Brian Gorrell
Is this the 1950's or what?
838 Fans
 
12:02 AM on 06/02/2011
Quebec has shown time and time again, that it is a sad joke of a province.
Quebec is embarrassing.
We should KICK them out!
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freequebecnow
9 Fans
03:11 AM on 06/02/2011
Please do......
Quebec wants out of Canada...
Harper and the Queen don't represent Quebec.....
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techsupport
70 Fans
08:50 PM on 06/01/2011
"Amir Khadir". Now that's a French sounding name.
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Grant in Calgary
1981 Fans
08:54 PM on 06/01/2011
And Piyush Jindal is a natural for Louisianna.
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Richard Aron
Be the change you wish to see in the world. Gandhi
410 Fans
09:10 PM on 06/01/2011
It shows you how intelligence is being erased from our society.
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Batsy01
28 Fans
08:47 PM on 06/01/2011
I largely agree that public money could be better spent when various programs are being cut and under pressure for funding - I propose that:

A) There are better ways to state this opposed to 'parasites' Frankly, you wouldn't call someone's aging mother suffering from complete dementia one. (Based on the defnitely, technically it applies since one isn't contributing anything)

B) The Queen is still our head of state. If we have an issue with this, I submit that we eliminate her as head of state.
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Grant in Calgary
1981 Fans
08:55 PM on 06/01/2011
Way too much logic and rationality there . . . this is aitch-pee after all.
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Batsy01
28 Fans
01:25 AM on 06/03/2011
We are from Canada dude. We are rational people. Leave the insanity and the demagogy to our bigger brother to the south and I don't mean Lethbridge. :P
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DeeDaw
48 Fans
06:42 PM on 06/01/2011
Well it is true. This is a waste of public money. These people have no "royal blood". If they slit their wrists, their blood is the same exact color as mine.

If they really want to endear themselves to people, these millionaires need to cover all expenses related to their trip. Let's all move on to the 21st century.

Since native people of Canada did not willingly agree to be apart of "Canada", are they exempt from the expense that this trip will incur upon tax payers?
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Eternityinanhour
56 Fans
06:28 PM on 06/01/2011
Yeah Khadir, we should so definitely kick every "parasite" out of Canada! Why don't you start with every unemployed person and tell us how that goes?
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kalapa
19 Fans
05:50 PM on 06/01/2011
"What a waste of public money." So true.

"You have to respect the tradition when you receive someone who is coming to your country," Really? Who decided they should come? And who decided that taxpayers money will be used?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Brian Gorrell
Is this the 1950's or what?
838 Fans
 
12:03 AM on 06/02/2011
Fake lake anyone?
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ljkcan
I don't let geographical borders limit my thinking
1638 Fans
11:33 AM on 06/02/2011
The fake lake beside the real lake priceless. Fanned.
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Steve Karmazenuk
Author, Freelance Journalist, Curmudgeon
111 Fans
 
03:34 PM on 06/01/2011
As to the RRQ, as a Montrealer I can tell you first hand they are nothing more than a bunch of thugs and would-be terrorists. Their "peaceful demonstrations" often involve defacing property and intimidation of anyone who disagrees with them. They, like the Jeunes Patriotes du Quebec, are funded by the Societe Saint Jean Baptiste - the once august institute that gave Canada her national anthem.

It is time to save Quebec - And Canada - from these separatists and declare what they are attempting to be nothing less than treason. Arrest them all. Ban their political parties. Deport immigrants who support Quebec separation to their countries of origin.

The majority of Quebeckers don't want to separate, nor do they want the ridiculous duplication of taxation and Federal services that Quebec's so-called nationhood requires. Quebec has voted twice to remain part of Canada, and in the last Federal election, Quebec voted for the Federal political party, the NDP over the Bloc Quebecois. Time to put the issue to bed, once and for all. SEPARATION IS DEAD.
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Eternityinanhour
56 Fans
06:17 PM on 06/01/2011
You can't just arrest them, it's against the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Everyone has the freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication; the freedom of peaceful assembly; and the freedom of association.

What, did you sleep through your civics class? Such a proud Canadian you are!
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Steve Karmazenuk
Author, Freelance Journalist, Curmudgeon
111 Fans
 
08:59 PM on 06/01/2011
Name one other Western democracy that would tolerate a separatitst movement within its borders and practicing politics.

Freedom of expression and opinion does NOT include the freedom to conspire to commit treason, which is, simply put, what separatism is.
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Brian Gorrell
Is this the 1950's or what?
838 Fans
 
12:05 AM on 06/02/2011
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.
SEPARATION IS DEAD!!!!!!!
Canada is awesome!
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Tanya Labonte
2 Fans
 
03:14 PM on 06/01/2011
You know I'm really sick and tired of Quebec as a Canadian . You certainly don't speak for me. could we separate already. Boo hoo they spoke english first why not the french language first..wah really. Their opinion does not stand for most Canadians
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big666dog
12 Fans
 
10:18 PM on 06/01/2011
Not all Quebeckers feel the same way. There's a reason that the separatists are losing favour. I'm sure your opinion doesn't stand for most Canadians either.
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