Tory MPP Amanda Simard too speaks out

A member of Premier Doug Ford’s caucus has too criticizing  government’s decisions to cancel a planned French-language university and scrap the office of the French-language services commissioner.Amanda Simard, who represents the mainly French-speaking riding of Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, has called the moves “extremely disappointing.”

In a Facebook post the rookie MPP said that she had worked internally to have the decisions reversed, including asking Ford himself to reconsider, but was unsuccessful. Simard, who also acts as the parliamentary secretary to the minister for francophone affairs, says she only learned of the government’s decision a few minutes before the official announcement.”I read somewhere that MPP Simard ‘might be upset.’ False. I am ‘definitely upset,”‘ Simard wrote in French on Facebook.

The NDP has called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to urgently sit down with Premier Doug Ford to save the French-language University in Toronto. Recently, the Premier of Ontario cancelled the project for financial reasons. This project would have been the first entirely French University in Ontario and would represent a major increase in support for Franco-Ontarians, as well as Francophones throughout the country.

“Doug Ford’s decision to cut services and protections for Francophone communities in Ontario is just wrong,” said NDP leader Jagmeet Singh. “Justin Trudeau criticized that decision, but now it’s time for him to act by announcing that the Liberal government will engage with the government of Ontario to finance the project of the French University in Toronto.”

Last week Premier Ford announced that he was terminating the francophone University project in Toronto and eliminating the Office of the Commissioner of French Language Services. The university project was estimated at $83.5 million. “The protection of language rights and the construction of a Francophone University in Toronto are vital elements for the Franco-Ontarian and Francophone community across Canada,” said NDP Official Languages Critic François Choquette. “Our request in no way eliminates the provincial government’s responsibility to protect and offer French services to francophone communities.”

The NDP also suggested the federal government could also initiate discussions to maintain the activities of the Office of the Commissioner of French Language Services. “Doug Ford’s decision is a slap in the face for Franco-Ontarians,” said NDP MP Charlie Angus (Timmins – James Bay). “The Liberal government must absolutely support and protect the rights of Francophone communities in Ontario and throughout the country.”