Following a chorus of outrage, Premier Doug Ford is offering an olive branch to Franco-Ontarians, the provincial government announced in a statement released late on Friday afternoon. The controversy erupted when the government announced in an economic update on Nov. 15 that it was cutting the position of the French language services commissioner, an officer of the legislature, and merging the role into the office of an existing ombudsman. The government also announced cancellation of plans for a new French-language university. Franco-Ontarians responded with fury, including a member of his own caucus, Amanda Simard, who noted in a message on her Facebook page that she was "upset" and pushing the government to reverse the decisions.

The premier backtracked partially Friday, offering to amend proposed legislation after days of criticism that spread to the House of Commons where the governing Liberals, led by the minister responsible for official languages, Mélanie Joly, taunted the Opposition Conservatives, urging them to join the federal government in denouncing Ford's actions. 7 jours depuis le #JeudiNoir et toujours en attente que les Conservateurs dénoncent le gouvernement Ford. Entre temps, la résistance s'organise. #onfr

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7 days and still waiting for the Conservatives to denounce the Ford government. Meanwhile, the resistance is organizing. pic.twitter.com/hEWPNdbYQD — Mélanie Joly (@melaniejoly) November 23, 2018 One of the changes would allow the commissioner to keep their title under the ombudsman's office and "maintain independence in conducting investigations" as well as to make recommendations to improve French language services in the province. Ford also proposes to create a new Ministry of Francophone Affairs that would be led by Justice Minister Caroline Mulroney, and to hire a senior policy advisor in his own office with responsibility for francophone affairs.

"I want to thank my all-star minister, Caroline Mulroney, for her advocacy and all the people who reached out to my office, and to me directly, to share examples about the contributions of the Franco-Ontarian community in our province," Ford said in the news release. "They're fighters. They're part of the history of Ontario. They continue to work hard for generations to promote and preserve their beautiful culture and language in our province." But the government is not reversing its decision to cancel plans for the French language university, saying that it cannot afford to do so. "I am looking forward to the day where we are in a financial position to proceed with projects like the French language university — projects that serve to unify our community and preserve our language and culture," Mulroney said in the same statement. There are more than 600,000 Franco-Ontarians in the province of about 14 million people. "I will continue to be a tireless advocate for the university, by and for francophones, so that when we are in a position to proceed with the build, we will be ready to go," Mulroney added. "While the fiscal realities of our province's finances prohibit a new standalone French Language University right now, I will continue to support models of education that meet the needs of francophone students and the francophone community."