Legault fails to change Ford’s mind on alteration to francophone services

Quebec Premier Francois Legault travelled to Ontario Monday to talk business with Premier Doug Ford but was instead forced to take on another role — lead defender of the French language in North America. After the Ford government last week announced budget cuts affecting Ontario’s 600,000 francophones, Legault was left walking a fine line between strengthening economic ties with his neighbour and standing up for the rights of a French-speaking minority. “Listen, clearly the fate of francophones in Canada is concerning to francophones in Quebec,” Legault told reporters after meeting Ford at the provincial legislature. “It is important to remember where we come from, to remember how this country was formed. So it’s only normal that there is a pretty strong reaction.” Since Ontario’s decision to cancel plans for a francophone university and eliminate the office of the French language services commissioner, Quebec’s political class and media pundits have seized on it as evidence of a lack of commitment to French speakers outside Quebec. Legault said he reminded Ford in their meeting that Quebec has three English-language universities and that both provinces must make efforts to deliver services to language minorities. Legault said he asked Ford to reconsider during their closed-door meeting. “Of course, he disagreed,” Legault said. The Ford government, which has vowed to find billions in efficiencies each year, has said the university was not a financially viable project, though it could not say how much would be saved by scrapping it. Nor could it say what savings would come from combining the watchdog offices. Ford defended the measures again on Monday, saying the university was not feasible in light of the province’s deficit, which his government has said now sits at $14.5 billion. “The difference between myself and Premier Legault — and I told him this — ‘You inherited a billion-dollar surplus, I inherited a $15-billion structural deficit.’ He understood that, but again he has to represent the people of Quebec,” Ford said. The premier noted Ontario already has 10 universities and colleges offering courses in French. Ontario’s minister responsible for francophone affairs, meanwhile, said transferring the role of the French language services commissioner to the ombudsman was part of the Progressive Conservatives’ mandate to reduce the size of government, rather than a cost-cutting measure. “All that work is going to continue within the office of the ombudsman,” said Caroline Mulroney. The measures drew attention on Parliament Hill on Monday, with the federal Liberals calling on Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer to urge Ford to reverse course. Federal New Democrats also deemed the changes an attack on francophones. New Brunswick’s former premier and now leader of the Opposition, Brian Gallant, also voiced concerns in an open letter Monday, saying Ford’s measures could jeopardize the vitality of francophone communities. Véronique Hivon, opposition critic on Canada-Quebec relations for the Parti Québécois, said Legault needs to go further than simply asking Ford to reverse his funding cuts. “There are things that are fundamental when you are Quebec premier,” Hivon added. “Speaking loudly and strongly about the French fact ... is one of them.” She urged the premier to meet Franco- Ontarian groups planning to sue the Ontario government over its decision to let them know Quebec is on their side. Legault said Ford is convinced his government can continue to serve Franco-Ontarians after the French language services commissioner role is rolled into the ombudsman’s office. “It didn’t satisfy me,” Legault said on Ford’s arguments, “but that’s what he told me.”