Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau is facing mounting criticism and calls for his resignation after delivering a sympathy message entirely in English following Sunday's fatal plane crash at New York's LaGuardia Airport that killed two pilots, including a francophone from Quebec.
Prime Minister Mark Carney joined a chorus of political leaders expressing outrage over Rousseau's four-minute video message, which offered condolences to families affected by the tragedy but included only two French words: "Bonjour" at the beginning and "merci" at the end.
"I'm so disappointed by the video message by Air Canada's CEO," Carney said Wednesday while entering the House of Commons. "It lacks judgment and compassion."
The criticism intensified given that Antoine Forest, the pilot in command of the Air Canada Express flight, was a francophone from Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec. His co-pilot, Mackenzie Gunther from Ontario, also perished when their aircraft collided with a Port Authority fire truck during landing. The flight had departed from Montreal.
Parliamentary Committee Summons CEO
Parliament's official languages committee moved swiftly Tuesday evening, summoning Rousseau to explain his actions before May 1. The decision reflects growing frustration with the airline's approach to Canada's bilingual obligations.
"Canada is a bilingual country and Air Canada has a responsibility to communicate in both official languages, regardless of the situation," Carney emphasized, adding he would closely monitor Rousseau's committee appearance and expected comments from the airline's board of directors.
Crisis Management Challenge
François Dauphin, president of the Institute for Governance of Private and Public Organizations, described the situation as "a major crisis" for Canada's largest carrier, requiring significant communications efforts to repair.
The controversy underscores the delicate balance business leaders must maintain in Canada, particularly regarding language sensitivities in Quebec, where Air Canada is headquartered.
Jacques Roy, professor emeritus of logistics and operations management at HEC Montreal, suggested the matter pressures Air Canada's board to consider replacing Rousseau. "If you're going to be a CEO of an officially bilingual company in Canada with a history like Air Canada, obviously you should learn to say a few words in French and use these occasions to show that you've made some progress," Roy said.
Regulatory Constraints
While Air Canada operates under Canada's Official Languages Act, federal oversight of the airline remains limited. Ottawa cannot dictate corporate leadership but has historically offered governance suggestions.
The incident has reignited longstanding questions about Rousseau's French-language abilities and commitment to serving Canada's francophone communities, particularly following the tragic loss of a Quebec pilot in the line of duty.
This article is based on reporting by The Globe and Mail. Original source: The Globe and Mail
