Air Canada CEO rebuked by Carney over English video on crash

Air Canada said in a statement that CEO Michael Rousseau recorded the message “as a matter of priority before departing on a flight for the crash site." Photo by Christinne Muschi/BloombergArticle contentCanadian Prime Minister Mark Carney reprimanded Air Canada’s head for issuing a video statement in English only following the tragic runway collision at LaGuardia Airport in New York that killed two pilots.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentIn the video uploaded on the airline’s website Monday, chief executive Michael Rousseau provided an update on the situation in English and expressed his “deepest sorrow for everyone affected.” All he said in French was “bonjour” at the beginning and “merci” at the end — captions in French at the bottom were provided.Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentArticle contentCanada’s largest airline, as a federal government-regulated entity, is subject to the Official Languages Act, requiring it to provide equal services in English and French. It’s also headquartered in the Montreal region, the business and financial centre of Quebec, the only Canadian province where French is the majority language.Article contentPosthasteBreaking business news, incisive views, must-reads and market signals. Weekdays by 9 a.m.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Posthaste will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentMany French-speaking Quebecers have been quick to point out that one of the two pilots killed in the crash, Antoine Forest, was from Quebec.

The Air Canada Express aircraft operated by Jazz Aviation LP flew from Montreal to New York on Sunday night and collided with an airport fire truck after landing.Article content“We proudly live in a bilingual country and companies like Air Canada particularly have a responsibility to always communicate in both official languages, regardless of the situation,” Carney told reporters Wednesday. The prime minister said he was “disappointed” and that the message showed a “lack of judgment and lack of compassion.”Article contentQuebec Premier Francois Legault went further, calling on Rousseau to quit. “If he still doesn’t speak French, that’s disrespectful to his French-speaking employees and customers. So yes, if he doesn’t speak French, he should resign,” Legault said.Article contentArticle contentOn Tuesday, members of Parliament expressed indignation at Rousseau’s video and summoned him to appear before the official languages committee by May 1.Article contentRead More Two pilots dead after Air Canada jet hits fire truck at New York airport Chrystia Freeland chides Air Canada CEO for not being able to speak French Article contentAir Canada said in a statement that Rousseau recorded the message “as a matter of priority before departing on a flight for the crash site,” and “despite his efforts, his ability to express himself in French does not allow him to convey such a sensitive message in that language as he would wish.”Article contentThis isn’t the first time Rousseau has made a slip-up when it comes to the French language. In 2021, just after being appointed CEO, he gave a speech to Montreal business leaders almost entirely in English. After the event, he expressed some pride in being able to live in Montreal for more than a decade without speaking French, sparking outrage in Quebec despite an apology.Article contentThen-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the situation “unacceptable.”Article contentRousseau has since committed to learn the language and taken over 300 hours of French classes, according to Air Canada.Article contentBloomberg.comArticle contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentTrending Posthaste: Many Canadians could be committing insurance fraud — and don't even know it News Why market bets for interest rate hikes in Canada are so high Economy Smith calls for new southbound pipelines, says U.S. could call 'first dibs' on Canadian oil exports Oil & Gas Wealthsimple receives regulatory approval to offer prediction markets to investors Fintech Posthaste: Canada's troubled housing market just got hit with another headwind News Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Posthaste: Many Canadians could be committing insurance fraud — and don't even know it News Why market bets for interest rate hikes in Canada are so high Economy Smith calls for new southbound pipelines, says U.S. could call 'first dibs' on Canadian oil exports Oil & Gas Wealthsimple receives regulatory approval to offer prediction markets to investors Fintech Posthaste: Canada's troubled housing market just got hit with another headwind News