Another first for Laurentian

Plus: Countdown to the cabinet shuffle, parties rev up for 2022, and the latest in Simcoe-Grey

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Good Friday morning. This is Queen’s Park Observer.

ABOVE THE FOLD

Lots to catch up on at Queen’s Park — including the rumour mill churning out more shuffle speculation — but first, I spoke with Canadian Francophonie Research Chair on language rights FRANCOIS LAROCQUE about the Ontario Ombudsman’s investigation into recent cuts to French-language programs at Laurentian University. French Language Services Commissioner KELLY BURKE announced the investigation this week after receiving about 60 complaints that “raise questions about the fairness and transparency of the process.”

Why it matters: Laurentian made history by becoming the first post-secondary institution in Ontario to file for creditor protection — in another first, the university will serve as a litmus test for others on how the French Language Services Act applies.

“This will be a good test to find out what is the …