Quebec Premier Criticizes Federal Minister on French Language

Quebec Premier François Legault strongly criticized federal culture minister Marc Miller on Tuesday, accusing him of downplaying the decline of French in Quebec and calling his remarks an embarrassment for the province.

“Marc Miller is a disgrace for all Quebecers,” Legault told reporters. “I don’t know how he’s going to show up at a cultural event in Quebec after saying nonsense like that.”

Earlier, Miller, who was appointed federal culture minister responsible for Official Languages on Monday, said he was “fed up” with the politicization of the language debate.

“As a Quebecer, I’m pretty fed up with this debate that is identity-based,” Miller said. “I refuse the catechism that some political parties want, insisting that French is in complete decline.”

Miller also noted the positive impact of Bill 101 and the Canada–Quebec agreement, which granted Quebec powers to prioritize French-speaking immigrants. “The French language is immensely fragile in North America and must be protected,” he added.

Legault responded by citing a decline in francophones in Montreal from 48% in 2022 to 43% in 2024, calling Miller’s dismissal of the debate “a shame.”

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized the appointment during Question Period, arguing the minister is “tired of defending the French language and Quebec culture.” Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet also said Miller’s appointment shows “how this government has no understanding of Quebec reality.”

Miller defended himself, highlighting his French-language education and upbringing. “I love French and I will defend our beautiful language until the end of my days,” he said.

In 2023, Miller initially described French as a “threatened” language before acknowledging its decline as a mother tongue, while questioning the overreliance on certain statistical indicators.