Doug Ford’s Conservatives vote against the rights of Franco-Ontarians

QUEEN’S PARK — Andrea Horwath, Leader of the Official Opposition New Democrats, released the following statement after the Ford government voted down her motion on the French Language Services Act:

“The voices of Franco-Ontarians need to be heard. Today, Doug Ford’s Conservatives signaled once again that they don’t want to listen.

By voting down a motion proposed by Ontario’s Official Opposition NDP calling for the modernization of the French Language Services Act, the Conservatives have turned their backs on 620,000 Franco-Ontarians and 1.5 million bilingual people who live in this province.

Doug Ford has made clear he is intent on dragging us backwards. He has attacked the rights of Francophones by eliminating the French Language Services Commissioner. And his government continues to plow ahead with callous cuts, cancellations and changes to essential public services, including education and healthcare, without consulting Franco-Ontarians.

The NDP will continue to stand up for the voices of Franco-Ontarians. We will lead the fight against this government’s shameful cuts and we will expand the rights of Franco-Ontarians to ensure the vitality and growth of Francophone communities in this province.”