Legault Condemns Miller's Remarks on French Language

Quebec Premier François Legault publicly condemned federal culture minister Marc Miller on Tuesday, accusing him of belittling the erosion of the French language in Quebec and labeling his statements as an embarrassment to the province.

“Marc Miller is an embarrassment to all Quebecers,” Legault remarked to the press. “I can't fathom how he plans to attend a cultural event in Quebec after uttering such nonsense.”

Previously, Miller, who was appointed as the federal culture minister responsible for Official Languages on Monday, expressed his frustration with the politicization surrounding the language controversy.

“As a Quebecer, I’m quite fed up with this identity-driven debate,” Miller stated. “I reject the catechism some political groups advocate, asserting that French is in total decline.”

Miller emphasized the positive contributions of Bill 101 and the Canada–Quebec agreement, which has empowered Quebec to prioritize French-speaking newcomers. “The French language is extremely vulnerable in North America and deserves protection,” he asserted.

In response, Legault highlighted the drop in the percentage of francophones in Montreal from 48% in 2022 to 43% in 2024, criticizing Miller's disregard for the ongoing debate as “a shame.”

During Question Period, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre challenged Miller's appointment, claiming the minister is “weary of defending the French language and Quebec's culture.” Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet also commented on Miller’s appointment, suggesting it reflects the government’s ignorance of Quebec's realities.

Miller defended his position, touting his education and upbringing in the French language. “I cherish French and will stand up for our beautiful language for the rest of my life,” he declared.

In 2023, Miller had labeled French a “threatened” language while recognizing its decline as a mother tongue, even raising questions about an over-reliance on specific statistical measures.