The newly appointed official languages minister in Mark Carney’s government, Marc Miller, expressed his disappointment at Quebec Premier François Legault’s harsh remarks, calling Miller a “disgrace” and labeling his statements as “nonsense.”
In response to Legault’s comments, Miller shared his surprise, emphasizing his previous involvement in recognizing and addressing the decline of French language not just in Quebec but across Canada. He highlighted his contributions to amending the Official Languages Act during his tenure in the government.
During his transit to the weekly Liberal caucus meeting in Ottawa, Miller, who also took over the role of minister of culture and Canadian identity from Steven Guilbeault, announced significant investments of $4.1 million earmarked in the 2025 budget.
Asserting his track record, Miller stated, “I have taken concrete actions, such as doubling Francophone immigration and allocating $800 million for French language training in Quebec, in my past role as minister of immigration.”
Addressing the ongoing debate on the decline of French in Quebec, Miller emphasized that while challenges exist, positive developments have occurred over the years, notably through measures like Bill 101 and the Canada-Quebec agreement, enabling Quebec to prioritize Francophone newcomers in immigration.
Acknowledging the fragility of the French language in North America, Miller stressed the importance of its protection and the necessity for additional efforts to safeguard it, particularly in daily life and work environments.
Expressing frustration over the politicization of the issue, Miller highlighted the need to move beyond identity-focused debates and work collectively towards preserving the French language.
Premier Legault’s strong criticism of Miller sparked a heated exchange, with Legault reiterating his condemnation from Quebec City, stating that it was inappropriate for a federal minister to downplay the decline of French in Montreal.
Former minister Guilbeault expressed his support for Miller’s capabilities and praised his work, emphasizing the rare acknowledgment and appreciation received from Indigenous groups during Miller’s leadership in Indigenous Services.
Amid the escalating tensions, the Liberal parliamentary leader, Steven MacKinnon, remarked on Legault’s opinions, acknowledging them as sometimes intriguing.
