The executive apologised and vowed to improve his linguistic skills
The chief executive officer of Air Canada met with criticism over the past week for not speaking in French in a meeting with Montreal's Chamber of Commerce. CTV News reported that Michael Rousseau spoke almost entirely in English in a 26-minute speech with the chamber and then refused to speak French in an interview with reporters afterwards.
"Can you do that in English? Because I want to make sure I understand your question before I respond to it," he told a reporter. "I've been able to live in Montreal without speaking in French, and I think that's a testament on the city of Montreal," he later added.
His remarks were met with outrage from citizens and politicians in Quebec, where Air Canada itself is headquartered. The CEO’s behaviour towards the language also underscored Quebec's longstanding issue with English overtaking French - the official language of the province. Canadian Minister of Official Languages Ginette Petitpas commented on the issue on Twitter.
"Air Canada offers an important service to Canadians. It must do so in both Official Languages – and its leaders must be an example," she said.
Air Canada offers an important service to Canadians. It must do so in both Official Languages – and its leaders must be an example.https://t.co/AxAlhDLo7R
— Ginette Petitpas Taylor (@GinettePT) November 1, 2021
Quebec Premier François Legault also said he found it "insulting" and it made him "angry" when he watched Rousseau's behaviour during the interview with the reporter.
"It shows a lack of respect towards the French-speaking employees of Air Canada," he said as quoted by CTV News.
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'I will set the tone'
Following the incident, Rousseau issued an apology for the exchange with the reporter, in which he vowed to improve his French skills.
"I want to make it clear that in no way did I mean to show disrespect for Quebecers and francophones across the country," he said in a statement.
"I apologise to those who were offended by my remarks. I pledge today to improve my French, an official language of Canada and the common language of Québec, while tackling the serious commercial challenges facing Air Canada as we move from surviving the pandemic to rebuilding to normalcy," he added.
He also reiterated the company's commitment in showing respect to the language, adding that it is a "source of pride for him and his executive team" to be headquartered in Montreal.
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Freeland's letter
Despite his apology, calls for the Air Canada CEO to step down continued, with Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland imploring the CEO to learn French. According to Freeland, Rousseau's ability to speak in French should be incorporated as one of his key performance goals. Freeland in a letter to Vagn Sørensen, chair of the private company's board, reminded that Air Canada's outstanding stock is owned by Ottawa and it should comply to the Official Languages Act under the transportation company.
