Federal Official Languages Minister Marc Miller is holding his ground after his recent remarks about the politicization of language in Quebec drew sharp criticism from Premier François Legault and others. Miller stated he does not regret his comments and emphasized that protecting French must not come at the expense of minority communities.
Standing Firm on Principle
Speaking at an event in Montreal on Thursday, December 18, 2025, Miller clarified his position. He affirmed that he is "fed up" with the political games surrounding the language debate, a sentiment that initially sparked the backlash. "I don't regret saying it," Miller stated, though he conceded that "maybe" he didn't need to "throw a bodycheck on my first shift" in his new role.
The minister, who represents the Montreal riding of Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, took on the portfolio of Canadian identity, culture, and official languages following Steven Guilbeault's resignation. His earlier comments had prompted reactions from both the Coalition Avenir Québec and the Parti Québécois. Quebec French Language Minister Jean-François Roberge responded on social media, saying, "When you’re fed up with a problem, you fix it."
Investment in Francophone Culture Announced
The context for Miller's latest statements was an announcement regarding federal support for French-language content. At the TV5 studios in Old Montreal, he detailed a $6-million investment over three years, earmarked in the 2025 budget, to boost online access to French-Canadian works via the streaming platform TV5MONDEplus. An additional $1 million in temporary support for public service media was also announced.
"Our cultural economy and our Canadian Francophonie are pillars of Canada’s sovereignty and prosperity," Miller said in a statement. He explained the funding aims to increase the global reach of locally created French-language content and to support French communities in minority situations within Canada.
A Call for Unity and Acknowledgment of Progress
Miller sought to find common ground amidst the controversy. "The crazy thing is we’re all on the same page about protecting the French language as a common language in Quebec," he remarked, suggesting the dispute has become a "game of gotcha between political parties."
He acknowledged the historic role of Quebec's language laws in strengthening French. "When I was growing up, the French language was much more threatened," Miller noted. "Bill 101 has made it much stronger in Quebec. And I think that’s an important success that we need to highlight and celebrate."
He also supported Quebec's increased control over immigration to ensure French-language proficiency among newcomers, calling it "extremely important." However, he drew a clear line, stating, "I don’t want to instrumentalize immigrants, and I want to build this province in this country with people — and not on the backs of minorities." This echoes his core argument that protection efforts must include the anglophone and Indigenous communities that helped build Quebec.
Recent amendments to Quebec's language laws have faced accusations of restricting minority rights by limiting access to services in languages other than French. In the face of personal criticism, Miller remained resolute. "I’ve got thick skin, and that’s the reality, and I’m not going anywhere," he declared. "I’m not afraid to say what I have to say as someone who loves my country and my province."
