In a fiery political clash, Canada's newly reinstated Minister of Culture and Canadian Identity, Marc Miller, has ignited a controversy by declaring himself "fed up" with the politicization of the debate over the French language. His comments, made just one day after reassuming a cabinet role, prompted a swift and severe rebuke from Quebec Premier François Legault, who labeled the federal minister a "disgrace."
A Heated Exchange Over Language and Identity
The dispute erupted on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, when Miller, the MP for Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, addressed reporters in Ottawa. "As a Quebecer, I'm pretty fed up with this debate, which is generally about identity and elections," Miller stated. He acknowledged a measurable decline in the use of French, particularly in homes and workplaces within Quebec, but framed the ongoing discussion as overly partisan.
Miller, who was reappointed to cabinet on Monday following the resignation of Steven Guilbeault, sought to clarify his personal commitment to French later during Question Period. Speaking in French, he emphasized his deep connection to the language, noting his education and that he is raising his children in three languages, including French. "I love the French language and I will defend that beautiful language until the end of my days," he asserted. "What I deplore is the politicizing of this beautiful language."
Swift Backlash from Quebec and Support from Ottawa
The reaction from Quebec's political leadership was immediate and harsh. At the National Assembly in Quebec City, Premier François Legault did not mince words. "What a disgrace," Legault told journalists. "I don't know how he's going to show up at a cultural event in Quebec after saying such nonsense."
Quebec's Minister of the French Language, Jean-François Roberge, echoed the sentiment on social media, writing pointedly, "When you're fed up with a problem, you fix it." This public spat is not the first between Miller and the CAQ government; as immigration minister, Miller had previously accused Legault of unfairly targeting Muslims.
In Ottawa, Prime Minister Mark Carney stood firmly behind his new minister. When Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre questioned Miller's appointment and the government's credibility on the language file, Carney offered a clear defense. "We will defend the French language," the Prime Minister stated in the House of Commons. "I am for my new minister."
Historical Context and Lingering Tensions
The controversy underscores the persistently sensitive and complex nature of language politics in Canada. Miller, a close ally of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, had been out of cabinet since Carney's election victory last spring before his sudden return this week. His direct, sometimes blunt style has previously led to confrontations with both Poilievre and the Quebec government.
Despite the current friction, Miller and Roberge have a history of professional engagement, having described a meeting over a year ago as "cordial and productive." However, the latest exchange suggests the deep-seated tensions between federal and provincial visions for protecting the French language in North America are far from resolved. The debate continues to sit at the volatile intersection of culture, identity, and electoral politics, ensuring it will remain a dominant and divisive theme on the national stage.
