`Disappointed´ Quebec premier urges Ford to rethink eliminating French-language watchdog
(The Star Toronto Raptors)

Quebec Premier François Legault is urging Premier Doug Ford to “reconsider� his controversial decision to eliminate Ontario’s French-language watchdog.But Ford said the cash-strapped province can no longer afford an independent French-language services commissioner — or the promised francophone university that was also cancelled in last week’s fall economic statement.“The difference between myself and Premier Legault — and I told him this: ‘You inherited a $1 billion surplus; I inherited a $15 billion structural deficit,’� the Ontario premier said Monday.Read more: Ontario Tories cut taxes and oversight protections for environment, vulnerable children, and francophones‘Ontario open for business,’ says Doug Ford at office tower groundbreakingOpinion | Conservatives should follow Brian Mulroney’s example and protect French language rightsLegault — like Ford a newly elected millionaire businessman-turned-premier — emerged from his first meeting with his Ontario counterpart dismayed by the measures in Thursday’s fiscal update.“I don’t think it sends a good message to francophones,� the Quebecer told reporters after an almost two-hour meeting at Queen’s Park.“I … told Mr. Ford that I was disappointed with the two decisions regarding the francophones in Ontario. I asked him to reconsider the decisions regarding (the) francophone university and regarding the commissioner. He disagreed,� he said.But Legault emphasized that he did not think Ford’s move would spark a national unity crisis by reawakening Quebec separatists.“I don’t see how it can be an argument for sovereignists because if Quebec becomes independent I don’t see which power Quebec would have to ask Ontario to change its mind,� he said.“Right now, I think that the federal government may help us convincing (Ford to) changing the deci ...