Ontario Progressive Conservative MPP Amanda Simard says she is against her government's cuts to French-language services. Source: Facebook.

TORONTO — After speaking out against her own party on Facebook, a rookie Progressive Conservative MPP was absent from the Ontario legislature on Thursday.

Amanda Simard, the parliamentary assistant to the minister for francophone affairs, broke ranks with the government on Wednesday by speaking out against cuts to Franco-Ontarian services.

Last week, the Ford government announced it was breaking its election promise to build a French-language university, and axed the office of the French-language services commissioner. The government said the office’s responsibilities would be absorbed by the provincial ombudsman.

[READ MORE: Ford government axes three of nine government watchdogs]

In a rare move, Simard released a statement on her Facebook page saying she was disappointed by the cuts.

“You have an ally in me, and I will never let you down,” Simard said in a translated version of the post. She said the cuts “disappoint me greatly, and I share this disappointment and frustration today, having initially worked internally as much as possible to reverse these decisions.”

Simard has not replied to multiple interview requests sent through her office and social media account, however, she’s scheduled to be on the popular Quebec television show Tout le monde en parle on Sunday.

She wasn’t in the legislature for question period on Thursday. Asked about her opposition to the government’s moves, Finance Minister Vic Fedeli echoed a statement of support for Simard sent by the premier’s office.

“I think Amanda Simard’s been a great new MPP. She’s a very passionate advocate for the Franco-Ontarian community, and she’s a strong voice in our caucus and we look forward to continuing to work with her,” Fedeli said.

Fedeli suggested Simard was out of the legislature because of other government work. “There’s a number of people who are out at announcements today,” he said.

The premier’s office did not reply to a request for information on Simard’s whereabouts.

[READ MORE: Ford rejects calls to reverse cuts to French-language services]

Premier Doug Ford and Francophone Affairs Minister Caroline Mulroney have both defended the cuts, and faced down opposition to them from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, former governor general Michaëlle Jean, and former Conservative cabinet minister Lawrence Cannon.

In the face of the mounting opposition, Fedeli said many others are “thrilled” by the changes.

“I can tell you that with all of the issues, there are going to be people who are thrilled to know that we will be able to lead with a path to balance that will make sure the money is there for the province of Ontario to supply proper health and education for everybody in the future,” he said.

Liberal MPP Marie-France Lalonde commended Simard for breaking ranks with her caucus, but wouldn’t speculate on whether the Liberals will capitalize on the dissent and try to convince her to cross the floor.

Instead, Lalonde said her concern is for Simard.

“I hope she’s OK. I really hope emotionally she’s OK, because my concern is for that newly elected MPP,” she said.

On Friday morning, federal Francophone Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly will speak with Mulroney to press the provincial government to reverse the cuts.

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