Montreal: The chief executive officer of Air Canada, Michael Rousseau, issued an apology Thursday following backlash for his failure to communicate in French during a condolence message after a tragic plane crash in New York. The incident has prompted calls for his resignation from various political figures.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Rousseau’s English-only condolence message, delivered in a four-minute video, included only two French words, ‘bonjour’ and ‘merci.’ This has sparked criticism, particularly as the airline is based in Montreal, Quebec, a predominantly French-speaking region. In his statement, Rousseau expressed his regret that his language limitations had overshadowed the grief of the families affected by the crash and the resilience of Air Canada’s employees. He acknowledged his ongoing challenges with the French language despite years of lessons and reiterated his commitment to improving his proficiency.
The controversy intensified after Quebec Premier Fran§ois Legault and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the issue. Carney criticized Rousseau’s actions, citing a lack of compassion and judgment, and expressed anticipation for further responses from Air Canada’s board of directors. The crash at LaGuardia Airport, which involved an Air Canada Jazz flight colliding with a fire truck, resulted in the deaths of two pilots, including Antoine Forest, a French-speaking Quebecer.
Air Canada’s position in a bilingual country with two official languages has heightened the sensitivity of the situation. The Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages reported receiving numerous complaints regarding Rousseau’s video. This incident is not the first time Rousseau has faced scrutiny over language issues; in November 2021, he faced criticism for delivering a major speech almost entirely in English, leading to promises to improve his French proficiency.
While some, like former Conservative Cabinet minister Jason Kenney, argue that Rousseau should prioritize safety and reliability over language skills, the controversy highlights the ongoing cultural and linguistic tensions within Canada. Daniel B©land, a political science professor at McGill University, noted that the recent events suggest Rousseau’s efforts to learn French have not been successful.
The situation continues to develop as stakeholders and the public await further actions from Air Canada’s leadership.