Air Canada CEO apologizes for inability to express himself adequately in French

Air Canada President and CEO Michael Rousseau apologizes for his poor command of French, following the controversy over a condolence message presented only in English.

The Quebec government has called for the resignation of Rousseau, who recorded a video in English only to comment on the fatal plane crash in New York that killed two pilots, one of whom was from Quebec.

Rousseau has been criticized for the four-minute video posted online that only included two French words — “bonjour” and “merci.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney said the decision to release the video message only in English showed a “lack of judgment and lack of compassion.”

Rousseau has also been summoned to testify at the House of Commons official languages committee.

In a statement, Rosseau said:

“I want to reiterate my deepest condolences to the families of the Jazz Captain and First Officer who tragically lost their lives, and recognize the profound impact this accident has had on our employees and customers. Air Canada is cooperating fully with U.S. and Canadian authorities in the investigation.

As President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada, it is my duty to support those affected by this tragedy. I am deeply saddened that my inability to speak French has diverted attention from the profound grief of the families and the great resilience of Air Canada’s employees, who have demonstrated outstanding professionalism despite the events of the past few days. Despite many lessons over several years, unfortunately, I am still unable to express myself adequately in French. I sincerely apologize for this, but I am continuing my efforts to improve.
  
I am also very grateful to those who have given the very best of themselves throughout the last few days to take care of our customers and each other while coping with the weight of this tragedy and I have been moved by the messages of support received from so many people who have reached out to express their thoughts for those impacted by Sunday’s tragic accident.” 

Quebec Premier François Legault called it disrespectful to the airline’s employees and its francophone customers, adding that if Rousseau doesn’t speak French, he should resign.

Rousseau has also been summoned to testify at the House of Commons official languages committee.

The Air Canada Express flight that crashed was flying from Montreal to New York’s LaGuardia Airport, and many of the travellers and crew — including Antoine Forest, one of the two pilots killed — were French-speaking Canadians.

Forest and fellow pilot Mackenzie Gunther died when the aircraft collided with a fire truck on the runway at LaGuardia on Sunday night.

It isn’t the first time Rousseau’s lack of French has landed him in trouble.

Following a speech in 2021 that was almost entirely in English to the Montreal chamber of commerce, he told reporters he did not need to learn French to get by in Montreal — comments that sparked backlash and for which he apologized the next day.

Rousseau also pledged at the time to improve his French.

As a former federal Crown corporation, Air Canada is subject to the Official Languages Act, which requires that it offer services in French for routes that include airports in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick.

Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said Thursday that Air Canada has an obligation to communicate with Canadians in both official languages.

“That is a solemn responsibility and one that I expect that they uphold at all times,” MacKinnon told reporters in Ottawa.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews