Official languages commissioner rebukes Air Canada CEO over English-only message
The Commissioner of Official Languages in Canada has criticized Air Canada's former CEO for delivering a condolence message almost exclusively in English following a fatal plane crash in New York. Michael Rousseau's four-minute video included only two French words, "bonjour" and "merci." The Commissioner received over 2,425 complaints about the video, with 98 arriving after March 31.
Bilingualism is crucial for leaders in any sector, according to the Commissioner's report. Air Canada announced Rousseau's retirement by the end of Q3 2026. The incident occurred after an Air Canada regional jet crashed at LaGuardia Airport in New York on March 22, killing two pilots and injuring over 40 people. The story is based on a report by The Canadian Press, initially published on October 8, 2026.
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