Some Quebec MPs are returning their Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medals in protest of the federal government's spending on monarchy celebrations.

At least six Quebec MPs -- all four Bloc Quebecois members, along with two New Democrats -- are reportedly refusing to accept the jubilee medals going to all 308 members of the House of Commons.

A total of 60,000 jubilee medals will be handed out this year to Canadians who've made significant contributions to their communities.

NDP MP Pierre Nantel, who represents Quebec's Longueuil-Pierre-Boucher riding, confirmed to CTVNews.ca he's returning his medal.

"To me, it's a very personal decision," he said in a phone interview Monday.

Nantel said his feelings about the monarchy are "not the biggest reason" for his decision but he thinks the government is spending too much money on jubilee celebrations.

The Conservatives have budgeted $7.5 million for various events and festivities and the cost of the medals alone is $3.5 million.

Bloc MP Louis Plamondon called it a waste of money at a time when the federal government is talking about cuts to public pensions and department budgets.

"It's over the top," Nantel said, adding it's "illogical" to give the medals to MPs.

"Me being here (as MP) for seven months – (is it) worth the medal? Why? If I am re-elected, if the people in my riding think I am doing a good job representing them, then that's my medal," he said.

Nantel said he's not surprised by reports that several other MPs in Quebec are also scoffing at the medals.

"They're probably doing it for the same reasons," he said. "It's a matter of being at ease or not with the monarchy."

The anti-monarchist sentiment is strong in Quebec amid the jubilee hoopla, with one nationalist group, Montreal's Societe Saint-Jean-Baptiste, announcing plans for anti-Queen celebrations.

Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore told CTV's National Affairs Monday the Queen's medal is "a pretty special honour" that allows Canada to recognize many of its "unsung heroes" – regular folk whose good deeds often go unnoticed.

"It's the person who volunteers at the rink that you never think of, the pastor who helps kids who never gets recognized, people who volunteer and give back, veterans, community leaders," Moore said.

He noted that MPs will also receive a batch of jubilee medals to distribute among worthy constituents, whose names will be recorded on a public registry.

At an inaugural ceremony in Ottawa Monday, 60 Canadians -- including Olympic champion Alexandre Bilodeau and Terry Fox's brother, Darrell -- were presented with jubilee medals. More such ceremonies will take place across Canada.

Despite the controversy, the Conservative government thinks the monarchy is "an important institution that should be recognized," Moore said.

"Obviously, the debate about the monarchy is not something that's new or something that's going to go away."

With files from The Canadian Press