A Progressive Conservative MPP who publicly criticized Ontario’s decision to cut the independent office of the French-language services commissioner and a planned French-language university has left the Tory caucus.
Amanda Simard, MPP Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, issued a letter to the Speaker of the legislature Thursday, stating her decision is effective immediately. “I am no longer a member of the Progressive Conservative Caucus. I will continue to take my place in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as an Independent,” Simard says in the memo.
Simard has previously denounced Premier Doug Ford’s government over the two controversial decisions affecting about 600,000 francophones in the Ontario.
Ford said the decisions were necessary to lower the province’s $15-million deficit but did not mention by how much.
Quebec’s premier and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have also expressed their opposition to the cuts.
