The chief govt of Air Canada is apologizing for not with the ability to specific himself adequately in French after releasing a video message of condolence on the lethal airplane crash in New York on Sunday.
Michael Rousseau has been criticized for the four-minute video posted on-line that solely included two French phrases — “bonjour” and “merci.”
“I’m deeply saddened that my incapacity to talk French has diverted consideration from the profound grief of the households and the nice resilience of Air Canada’s staff,” he mentioned in a press release Thursday.
“Regardless of many classes over a number of years, sadly, I’m nonetheless unable to precise myself adequately in French. I sincerely apologize for this, however I’m persevering with my efforts to enhance.”
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Prime Minister Mark Carney mentioned the choice to launch the video message solely in English confirmed a “lack of judgment and lack of compassion.”
Quebec Premier François Legault referred to as it disrespectful to the airline’s staff and its francophone clients, including that if Rousseau doesn’t converse French, he ought to resign.
Rousseau has additionally been summoned to testify on the Home of Commons official languages committee.
The Air Canada Categorical flight that crashed was flying from Montreal to New York’s LaGuardia Airport, and most of the travellers and crew — together with Antoine Forest, one of many two pilots killed — have been French-speaking Canadians.
Forest and fellow pilot Mackenzie Gunther died when the plane collided with a fireplace truck on the runway at LaGuardia on Sunday evening.
It isn’t the primary time Rousseau’s lack of French has landed him in hassle.
Following a speech in 2021 that was virtually totally in English to the Montreal chamber of commerce, he informed reporters he didn’t have to study French to get by in Montreal — feedback that sparked backlash and for which he apologized the following day.
Rousseau additionally pledged on the time to enhance his French.
As a former federal Crown company, Air Canada is topic to the Official Languages Act, which requires that it supply companies in French for routes that embrace airports in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick.
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