Quebec Solidaire MNA Amir Khadir joins small group of arrested Canadian politicians

Quebec Solidaire MNA Amir Khadir was arrested Tuesday night for taking part in a student protest over the province's proposed tuition fee hikes and its contentious Bill 78.

According to CBC News, Khadir, the National Assembly member for the Montreal riding of Mercier, was handcuffed and placed on a bus with other detainees after police surrounded a group of demonstrators in Quebec City's Petit Champlain neighbourhood.

He was given a $494 ticket for violating Quebec's Highway Safety Code and was released that night along with his fellow arrestees, Khadir's spokesperson Christian Dubois said.

Arrested for a good cause:

While Khadir's arrest has spurred headlines in Quebec, most media outlets are giving him a pass: he broke the law but did it standing up for his beliefs.

Khadir follows in the footsteps of former NDP MP Svend Robinson who, in 1985 was arrested after joining an anti-logging protest on B.C.'s Queen Charlotte Islands. Robinson was detained and fined $750. His constituents, however, didn't mind the arrest -- Robinson was re-elected in three consecutive elections.

On the right side of the political spectrum, Khadir joins the likes of former Reform Party MP John Cummins who, in the 1990s got himself arrested on multiple occasions protesting Native fishery rules. Cummins, who is now the leader of the B.C. Conservatives, even had to spend one night in jail.

Not 'good cause' arrests:

Svend Robinson: In 2004, former NDP MP Svend Robinson turned himself over to police and made a tearful public confession that he had pocketed a $50,000 diamond ring at a public auction.

He was sentenced to 100 hours of community service and didn't seek re-election.

Lorne Nystrom: In 1989, NDP MP Lorne Nystrom was charged with stealing $7.79 worth of contact lens cleaning tablets from an Ottawa drug store.

He was acquitted at trial after explaining he forgot to pay for the items he needed as he rushed to the airport.

Gordon Campbell: Former B.C. premier Gordon Campbell was arrested in 2003 while on vacation in Hawaii for driving while under the influence of alcohol. According to the police report, he had a blood alcohol level of .161 -- more than double the legal limit.

Campbell was ordered to pay fines and fees totaling $913 (U.S.), complete a 14-hour alcohol assessment program and have a substance-abuse assessment.

He apologized to the public at the time, retained his position and was re-elected twice.