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Amir Khadir

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Amir Khadir
Member of the National Assembly of Quebec for Mercier
In office
December 8, 2008 – October 18, 2018
Preceded byDaniel Turp
Succeeded byRuba Ghazal
Personal details
Born (1961-06-12) June 12, 1961 (age 63)
Tehran, Iran
Political partyProvincial
Québec solidaire (present)
UFP (2002–2006)
RAP (1997–2002)
Federal
Bloc Québécois (2000)
SpouseNimâ Machouf
ResidenceMontreal
Alma materMcGill University
Université Laval
Université de Montréal
Cégep du Vieux Montréal
ProfessionPhysician, microbiologist

Amir Khadir (Persian: امیر خدیر; born June 12, 1961) is a Canadian politician in the province of Quebec. A member of Québec solidaire (QS), he was one of the party's co-spokespeople from 2006 to 2012, alongside Françoise David. From 2008 to 2018, he was a Member of the National Assembly of Quebec (MNA) for the electoral district of Mercier. Khadir was the first elected representative of QS.

Early life and career

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Khadir was born in Tehran, Iran in 1961 and emigrated to Canada at the age of ten.[1] He was involved in many humanitarian organizations such as Médecins du Monde.

He studied physics at the undergraduate level at Université de Montréal and subsequently at the graduate level at McGill University. He then studied medicine at Université Laval.

Khadir worked with the Yes side in the 1980 Quebec sovereignty referendum.[2]

A medical specialist in infectious microbiology, he practiced at the Centre Hospitalier Pierre-Le-Gardeur in Lachenaie, Quebec, a section of the city of Terrebonne, Quebec. Khadir is a member of the Coalition des Médecins pour la Justice Sociale (Coalition of Doctors for Social Justice), which opposes the privatization of the Quebec healthcare system. He has led missions to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Palestinian territories for Médecins du Monde. Until 2004 he presided over the administrative council of Solidarité-Union-Coopération [fr].

Khadir is married to Nimâ Machouf. They have three children named Daria, Yalda, and Leyli.[1] During the 2012 Quebec student protests, Yalda was arrested for blocking the Jacques Cartier Bridge, occupying the Cégep du Vieux-Montréal, and vandalizing then minister of education Line Beauchamp's office.[3] She pleaded guilty in 2014 and, in 2015, was sentenced to a conditional discharge including 240 hours of community service.[4]

Political career

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Victory speech of Amir Khadir after his election, December 8, 2008

Khadir was a member of the Rassemblement pour l'alternative progressiste from its inception in 1997. He took part in the founding of the Union des forces progressistes (UFP) in June 2002. In the 2003 provincial election, Khadir ran for office as a UFP candidate in the Montreal-based district of Mercier, and finished third with 18% of the vote. In 2004, Khadir was named co-spokesman of the UFP, alongside Denise Veilleux. In the fall of 2005, Khadir signed the Manifeste pour un Québec solidaire [fr], a left-wing response to Pour un Québec lucide.[5]

In 2006, the UFP merged with Option citoyenne, led by Françoise David, to form Québec solidaire (QS). At the founding convention, Khadir was named one of two co-spokespeople alongside David.[6]

Khadir again ran for the seat of Mercier in the 2007 election, now as a member of QS, placing second with 29% of the vote. In 2008, Khadir won the seat with 38% of the vote and became the first Québec solidaire candidate elected.[7] During that campaign, Khadir received the endorsement of Robert Perreault, a former Parti québécois cabinet member who represented Mercier from 1994 to 2000.[8]

As the only elected member of QS, he became its most prominent member. A poll conducted for the newspapers Le Devoir and The Gazette in early December 2010 found that Khadir was the most popular politician in Quebec, with an approved rating of 45%.[9]

Khadir continued as co-spokesperson through the 2012 election which saw the election of a second QS MNA, Françoise David, in Gouin. Shortly after the election, Khadir stepped down as co-spokesperson to allow the party to choose a new male co-spokesperson from outside the legislature in accordance with party statutes. "It's the logical next step. First, for a party that considers itself feminist, it would be fairly contradictory to finally have a female deputy of Françoise's quality in the National Assembly and not have her be the spokesperson," Khadir said.[10]

Khadir did not run for re-election in the 2018 general election.[11]

Activism and controversies

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Quebec's Cooperation Accord with Israel

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Amir Khadir has advocated for a petition addressed to the National Assembly, urging the suspension of Quebec's Cooperation Accord with Israel. The campaign has garnered support from organizations such as the Centrale de syndicats du Quebec, the FFQ, and Quebec Solidaire. However, this initiative triggered some backlash, with allegations of anti-Semitism directed at Amir Khadir due to his support for the BDS campaign.[12]

2010 Haiti earthquake

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In August 2010, Khadir was a signatory of an open letter to French President Nicolas Sarkozy urging that France pay almost $23 billion in slavery reparations to help Haiti rebuild following the 2010 Haiti earthquake.[13][14]

Boycott of Le Marcheur

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In December 2010, Khadir participated in protests organized by the Palestinian and Jewish Unity (PAJU) that were held outside the Boutique Le Marcheur, a shoe store in Montreal, because the store sells shoes made in Israel. The protesters said they would continue to demonstrate outside the store until it stops selling shoes made in Israel. The store's owners, Yves Archambault and Ginette Auger, dismissed the protest, stating that "No one – no one is going to dictate to me what to sell.[15] Archambault sharply criticized Khadir, stating that he found it "horrible" that his MNA representative verbally incited customers not to enter his store. Archambault responded that Israeli products constitute only 2% of his store's goods, but announced that he would not give in to the protesters' demands.[16][17]

On February 9, 2011, a motion was brought forward in the Quebec National Assembly to condemn the boycott of Le Marcheur. Khadir was the sole MNA to vote against it and prevent its from being debated (unanimity is required for such a motion to go to debate). Several members of the National Assembly's other three parties: François Bonnardel of the Action Démocratique du Québec, the Parti Québécois's Martin Lemay and the Liberal party's Lawrence Bergman subsequently visited the store to show their support and demonstrate their opposition to the boycott.[18]

Khadir later defended his support for boycotts of Israeli products but insisted there had been a "terrible misunderstanding" between himself and Archambault. Khadir denied asking people not to enter the store but stated that he only informed customers about the boycott.[17] Khadir also stated that he now regrets taking part and wanted people to boycott the products, not the merchant.[19]

Opposition to 2011 Royal tour

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In a 2011 interview, Khadir expressed his opposition towards the use of tax dollars for an upcoming royal tour through Montreal and Quebec City by the newlywed Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, referring to them as "parasites".[20]

Criticism of the United States

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Khadir has also expressed criticism of the Bush administration's policies, throwing his shoes at a picture of the president outside the U.S. Consulate at a protest in Montreal in December 2008. The event was supposed to symbolically replicate Muntadhar al-Zaidi's shoe-throwing attempt at the President in Iraq. He and other protesters then headed to the Canadian Forces recruitment center on Sainte Catherine Street and threw shoes at a photograph of American president George W. Bush.[21] Khadir was accused of betraying the "dignity and responsibilities of a[n] MNA," though Khadir himself says his constituents expected nothing less.[22]

Views on the British Royal family

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In 2011, Khadir criticized the British Royal family. During an interview with the Journal de Québec concerning an upcoming visit of recently Prince William and Kate Middleton, Khadir said "What a waste of public funds," and "All this to welcome these parasites!". The Quebec government demanded later an apology from Khadir.[23][24][25]

Electoral record

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2014 Quebec general election: Mercier
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Québec solidaire Amir Khadir 13,228 46.19 -0.75
Liberal Richard Sagala 6,593 23.02 +9.52
Parti Québécois Sylvie Legault 5,872 20.5 -3.05
Coalition Avenir Québec Alain Clavet 2,400 8.38 -2.63
Option nationale Martin Servant 228 0.8 -1.58
Bloc Pot Hate's Deslandes 189 0.66 –
Independent Roger Hughes 129 0.45 –
Total valid votes 28,639 98.75 –
Total rejected ballots 362 1.25 –
Turnout 29,001 72.41 -3.86
Electors on the lists 40,052 – –
2012 Quebec general election: Mercier
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Québec solidaire Amir Khadir 14,164 46.73 +8.84
Parti Québécois Jean Poirier 7,137 23.55 -10.87
Liberal Anne Pâquet 4,091 13.50 -7.84
Coalition Avenir Québec Julie Boncompain 3,336 11.01 +8.52*
Green David Kovaks 859 2.83 -0.77
Option nationale Nic Payne 722 2.38 –
Total valid votes 30,309 99.18 –
Total rejected ballots 252 0.82 –
Turnout 30,561 76.27 +20.25
Electors on the lists 40,069 – –

* Result compared to Action démocratique

2008 Quebec general election: Mercier
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Québec solidaire Amir Khadir 8,597 37.89 +8.51
Parti Québécois Daniel Turp 7,787 34.32 +0.97
Liberal Catherine Émond 4,842 21.34 +1.52
Green Olivier Adam 818 3.60 −4.88
Action démocratique Élisa Fortin-Toutant 565 2.49 −5.93
Parti indépendantiste Jean-Marc Labrèche 83 0.37 –
Total valid votes 22,692 99.02
Total rejected ballots 224 0.98
Turnout 22,916 56.02
Electors on the lists 40,907
Source: Official Results, Le Directeur général des élections du Québec.
2007 Quebec general election: Mercier
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Parti Québécois Daniel Turp 9,426 33.35 −11.91
Québec solidaire Amir Khadir 8,303 29.38 +11.46
Liberal Nathalie Rochefort 5,601 19.82 −8.74
Green Sylvain Valiquette 2,398 8.48 –
Action démocratique Gabriel Tupula Yamba 2,381 8.42 +2.12
Bloc Pot Nicky Tanguay 156 0.55 −1.42
Total valid votes 28,265 99.17
Total rejected ballots 237 0.83
Turnout 28,502 69.32
Electors on the lists 41,115
Source: Official Results, Le Directeur général des élections du Québec.
2003 Quebec general election: Mercier
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Parti Québécois Daniel Turp 13,334 45.26 +16.64
Liberal Nathalie Rochefort 8,414 28.56 −6.10
UFP Amir Khadir 5,278 17.92 -
Action démocratique Vivian Goulder 1,855 6.30 +0.03
Bloc Pot Lyne Rivard 579 1.97 −3.21
Total valid votes 29,460 100,00
Parti Québécois gain from Liberal Swing +11.37
Source: Official Results, Le Directeur général des élections du Québec.

Earlier, in the federal election of 2000, Khadir ran as a Bloc Québécois candidate in the riding of Outremont. He received 28% of the vote and finished second against Liberal incumbent Martin Cauchon.


2000 Canadian federal election: Outremont
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Martin Cauchon 18,796 47.68 −2.47 $52,920
Bloc Québécois Amir Khadir 11,151 28.29 −0.10 $50,207
Progressive Conservative Robert Archambault 3,190 8.09 −4.12 $3,360
New Democratic Peter Graefe 2,199 5.58 −0.86 $590
Green Jan Schotte 1,478 3.75 – $260
Alliance Josée Duchesneau 1,283 3.25 – $1,425
Marijuana Huguette Plourde 1,013 2.57 – none listed
Marxist–Leninist Louise Charron 194 0.49 −0.36 $10
Communist Pierre Smith 118 0.30 – $187
Total 39,422 100.00

References

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  1. ^ a b "Les partis et les chefs" [The parties and their leaders]. Radio-Canada (in French). Archived from the original on February 28, 2007. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  2. ^ "Quebec remembers 1st referendum". CBC News. May 20, 2010. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  3. ^ "Yalda Machouf-Khadir recouvre sa liberté" [Yalda Machouf-Khadir is freed]. Radio-Canada (in French). June 13, 2012 [June 12, 2012]. Archived from the original on December 6, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  4. ^ Cherry, Paul (July 15, 2020) [February 16, 2015]. "Yalda Machouf-Khadir gets probation, community service for crimes during student protests". The Gazette. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  5. ^ "La gauche réplique au manifeste Pour un Québec lucide" [The left responds to the Pour un Québec lucide manifesto]. LCN (in French). Groupe TVA. November 1, 2005. Archived from the original on May 22, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  6. ^ Laxer, Emily (2019). Unveiling the Nation: The Politics of Secularism in France and Quebec (Rethinking Canada in the World). McGill-Queen's University Press. ISBN 978-0-7735-5803-8.
  7. ^ "Amir Khadir assermenté" [Amir Khadir sworn in]. Radio-Canada (in French). December 17, 2008. Archived from the original on February 11, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  8. ^ Lessard, Denis (December 3, 2008). "L'ex-ministre Robert Perreault appuie Amir Khadir" [Former minister Robert Perreault endorses Amir Khadir]. La Presse (in French). Archived from the original on January 20, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  9. ^ "Amir Khadir favori des Québécois" [Amir Khadir is Quebeckers' favourite]. Radio-Canada (in French). December 13, 2010. Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  10. ^ Simard, Mathieu (November 5, 2012) [November 3, 2012]. "Khadir steps down as Québec solidaire co-leader". The Gazette. Archived from the original on December 6, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  11. ^ Authier, Philip (August 13, 2018) [June 15, 2018]. "National Assembly recesses; Quebec leaders prepare for intense election". The Gazette. Archived from the original on December 6, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  12. ^ Albo, Greg (2013). Empire's Ally Canada and the War in Afghanistan. University of Toronto Press. ISBN 978-1-4426-1304-1.
  13. ^ "M. Sarkozy, rendez à Haïti son argent extorqué" [Mr. Sarkozy, return Haiti's extorted money]. Libération (in French). August 16, 2010. Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  14. ^ "Lettre ouverte au président français Nicolas Sarkozy" [An open letter to French president Nicolas Sarkozy] (in French). August 16, 2010. Archived from the original on March 13, 2012. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  15. ^ Arnold, Janice (December 23, 2010). "Anti-Israel boycott lets needy get shoes". Canadian Jewish News. Archived from the original on December 6, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  16. ^ Turbide, Mathieu (December 18, 2010). "Khadir ne regrette pas son appel au boycott" [Khadir doesn't regret his calls for a boycott]. Le Journal de Montréal (in French). Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  17. ^ a b "Boycottage d'une boutique : Amir Khadir se défend" [Boutique boycott: Amir Khadir defends himself]. Le Journal de Québec (in French). December 17, 2010. Archived from the original on December 6, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  18. ^ Kay, Barbara (March 4, 2011). "Barbara Kay: Quebec strikes a blow against anti-Israel heels". National Post. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  19. ^ "Anti-Israel boycott at Montreal shoe store suspended". CTV News. The Canadian Press. January 28, 2011. Archived from the original on December 6, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  20. ^ Moalla, Taïeb (May 31, 2011). ""Tout ça pour ces parasites-là!"" [All this for these parasites!]. Le Journal de Québec (in French). Archived from the original on November 18, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  21. ^ Murphy, Jessica; Burgmann, Tamsyn (December 20, 2008). "Protesters hurl shoes in solidarity with jailed Iraqi journalist". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on June 3, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  22. ^ Bussières, Ian (December 28, 2008). "Un enseignant demande un blâme contre Khadir" [A teacher calls for Khadir to be reprimanded]. La Presse (in French). Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  23. ^ "Quebec MNA bristles at cost of welcoming 'parasites' Will and Kate". The Globe and Mail.
  24. ^ "Quebec parliamentarian calls visiting royals parasites; apology demanded". Grand Forks Herald.
  25. ^ "QRoyal newlyweds called 'parasites' by Que. MNA". CBC.
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