By: Donald Mckenzie, THE CANADIAN PRESS

MONTREAL - It’s hardly the British military invasion of the 1750s or the Beatles-led musical invasion of the 1960s, but Paul McCartney’s concert in Quebec City is rankling some nationalists in the province.

Quebec painter Luc Archambault says he has written a five-page letter that is critical of McCartney’s imminent arrival in the provincial capital because of the star’s British roots.

“His music isn’t just music, it is also the lyrics, lyrics that are in English,” said Archambault, who hopes to hand the ex-Beatle the letter in person before he takes the stage in front of an expected crowd of 200,000 people on the Plains of Abraham on Sunday.

Parti Quebecois culture critic Pierre Curzi is another who believes this is one magical mystery tour McCartney shouldn’t be on.

“I like Paul McCartney but, given the context, this is the straw that breaks the camel’s back,” said Curzi, referring to what he called the “Canadianization” of Quebec City’s 400th-birthday celebrations.

Premier Jean Charest called their position embarrassing and said those opposed to the ex-Beatle’s show should just let it be.

“Relax, have a good time,” Charest said in Quebec City. “If Paul McCartney can have a good time here, so can you.”

The premier said the celebrations surrounding Quebec City’s 400th birthday are meant to be an opportunity for people to come from all over the world to enjoy the party.

“Nobody criticizes Celine Dion for singing in Paris, in Munich, in England or anywhere else around the world,” he said.

Two Quebec singers who have been invited to open for McCartney also distanced themselves from the politically tinged arguments.

“We should be proud because the Beatles are a huge part of history,” said Pascale Picard, who will immediately precede McCartney on stage.

“They touched so many people in the world. Culturally, we are really lucky to have that kind of person playing and coming to enjoy this party with us.”

The other act to feature Sunday will be the Stills, a Montreal rock band that also got the nod from McCartney.

Singer and guitarist Tim Fletcher said the superstar’s Liverpudlian roots shouldn’t prevent him from playing in a French-speaking city.

“Sure, he’s an English guy but he’s brought a lot of joy, and the Beatles have brought a lot of joy into people’s lives,” Fletcher said in an interview.