Civil Courtesies
Canada's origin is reflected in its inclusion as a member of the Commonwealth. The inheritance of Canada's parliamentary and judicial systems are those of Great Britain. Canada's history is inextricably interwoven with that of England. The Canadian Head of State is the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II, and her representatives in Canada are viewed as vital symbols of the two countries' historical relationship.
The current relationship between Canada and Great Britain is that of international equals, but the junior country remains firmly beholden culturally, diplomatically, politically (to a lesser degree) to that of the senior country. When a member of the Royal Family of the House of Windsor visits any of the Commonwealth countries it is as a courtesy and a reminder of what we hold in common reflecting our Commonwealth heritage.
Quebec, ever resentful of the British historical intervention in its North American colonies resulting in victory over military squabbles between Britain and France that left Britain the sole imperial force in Canada, still smarts in anguished indignation over any presumed loyalty to the British Crown, and semi-officially rejects any such notion. The historical generosity of Britain in granting French colonists equality under the law has never ameliorated that resentment.
Members of the British royal family have not had enthusiastic receptions in Quebec on their occasional visits to Canada. Other than from those segments of Quebec society whose heritage is anglophone as opposed to francophone. Now, a visit is forthcoming to Canada in July by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, newly-married Prince William and wife Kate.
To this, a Montreal riding MPP, Amir Khadir, insists that the couple are "parasites" because Canada and Quebec through tax funding, are paying as is done traditionally out of courtesy, for the visit. The very fact that Quebec itself is a living embodiment of a parasitical state in its constant demands of additional funding from the rest of Canada, in its constant carping and complaining that it is owed even more, is symbolically and hypocritically polarizing.
If someone of French heritage denounces the connection between England and Canada, it is commonplace; and here is a Quebec citizen and Member of Provincial Parliament of Arab descent vociferously and insultingly denouncing the courtesies extended to the Royal Family.
The MPP, clearly revelling in his activism, also regularly denounces a Montreal shoe emporium that sells Israeli-produced shoes. Amir Khadir certainly makes no secret of his favouring of a Palestinian State, but then so does most of the world at large. His hostility, however, toward Israel is typical of those who claim victimhood and grievance, and his extension of that state of thought and feeling toward British royalty describes a hateful expression.
A demonstration is being planned by the separatist Reseau de resistance du Quebecois, whose purpose it is to ensure that the royal visit is "as disagreeable as possible". There seems to be a natural affinity between aggrieved and resentful and distrustfully-hate-filled Quebec separatists and Canadians of Arab and Muslim descent who apply their historical grievance and resentment in overt acts of declared hostilities toward Israel.
None of this should have a place in the civil society that is Canada.
The current relationship between Canada and Great Britain is that of international equals, but the junior country remains firmly beholden culturally, diplomatically, politically (to a lesser degree) to that of the senior country. When a member of the Royal Family of the House of Windsor visits any of the Commonwealth countries it is as a courtesy and a reminder of what we hold in common reflecting our Commonwealth heritage.
Quebec, ever resentful of the British historical intervention in its North American colonies resulting in victory over military squabbles between Britain and France that left Britain the sole imperial force in Canada, still smarts in anguished indignation over any presumed loyalty to the British Crown, and semi-officially rejects any such notion. The historical generosity of Britain in granting French colonists equality under the law has never ameliorated that resentment.
Members of the British royal family have not had enthusiastic receptions in Quebec on their occasional visits to Canada. Other than from those segments of Quebec society whose heritage is anglophone as opposed to francophone. Now, a visit is forthcoming to Canada in July by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, newly-married Prince William and wife Kate.
To this, a Montreal riding MPP, Amir Khadir, insists that the couple are "parasites" because Canada and Quebec through tax funding, are paying as is done traditionally out of courtesy, for the visit. The very fact that Quebec itself is a living embodiment of a parasitical state in its constant demands of additional funding from the rest of Canada, in its constant carping and complaining that it is owed even more, is symbolically and hypocritically polarizing.
If someone of French heritage denounces the connection between England and Canada, it is commonplace; and here is a Quebec citizen and Member of Provincial Parliament of Arab descent vociferously and insultingly denouncing the courtesies extended to the Royal Family.
The MPP, clearly revelling in his activism, also regularly denounces a Montreal shoe emporium that sells Israeli-produced shoes. Amir Khadir certainly makes no secret of his favouring of a Palestinian State, but then so does most of the world at large. His hostility, however, toward Israel is typical of those who claim victimhood and grievance, and his extension of that state of thought and feeling toward British royalty describes a hateful expression.
A demonstration is being planned by the separatist Reseau de resistance du Quebecois, whose purpose it is to ensure that the royal visit is "as disagreeable as possible". There seems to be a natural affinity between aggrieved and resentful and distrustfully-hate-filled Quebec separatists and Canadians of Arab and Muslim descent who apply their historical grievance and resentment in overt acts of declared hostilities toward Israel.
None of this should have a place in the civil society that is Canada.
posted by Pieface | 6:10 PM
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