Air Canada CEO Apologizes Over French Language Gap After Crash Message
CEO Acknowledges Language Shortcoming
Michael Rousseau, the chief executive of Air Canada, has issued an apology after failing to deliver a condolence message in French following the deadly plane crash in New York.
He admitted that he could not properly express himself in French during the video statement released after the incident. Although he has taken lessons for several years, he said he still struggles with the language. However, he emphasized that he continues to work on improving his skills.
Criticism Follows English-Only Message
The four-minute video message drew criticism because Rousseau used only two French words—“bonjour” and “merci”—while delivering the rest of the statement in English.
As a result, political leaders and the public raised concerns about the lack of bilingual communication, especially during a sensitive moment.
Prime Minister Responds
Prime Minister Mark Carney strongly criticized the decision. He stated that releasing the message only in English showed poor judgment and a lack of compassion.
Furthermore, he stressed that national organizations must respect Canada’s bilingual identity, particularly when addressing tragic events.
Parliamentary Committee Summons CEO
In response to the controversy, the House of Commons official languages committee has called Rousseau to testify. Lawmakers want him to explain why he did not communicate effectively in both official languages.
The incident has once again highlighted the importance of bilingual communication in Canada’s corporate and public sectors.
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