A fatal collision occurred at LaGuardia Airport last week, killing two Air Canada pilots and injuring dozens of passengers, according to reports. The Air Canada plane originated in Montreal and was trying to land in New York on the evening of 22 March before crashing into an emergency vehicle, as reported by multiple sources. It was the first fatal crash for Air Canada in more than four decades, though the specific factors leading to the incident and the exact number of passengers injured have not been confirmed.
A day later, Air Canada shared a four-minute video message from CEO Michael Rousseau on its social media, in which he offered condolences in English, with subtitles in both official languages, according to the airline. Canada's official languages commissioner reportedly received dozens of complaints about the video. A parliamentary committee unanimously voted to summon the CEO to explain himself, as reported by media.
He is not suitable to be (the airline's) spokesperson.
Quebec politicians accused Rousseau of showing a gross lack of respect to the Quebecois family of one of the deceased pilots, Antoine Forest, according to statements. Lawmakers passed a non-binding vote in Quebec's legislature calling on the CEO to resign, as reported. Three days after the initial video, Air Canada released an apology from Rousseau, who admitted that after years of lessons, his French language ability remains weak, according to the airline.
Air Canada announced that Rousseau, who is 68, will be retiring by September. An Air Canada spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal that the CEO has reached a natural retirement age and his decision is not linked to the language issue. Prime Minister Mark Carney said the video message showed a lack of compassion, according to reports.
Canadian author Jack Jedwab wrote that Rousseau's lack of French knowledge sends a message to Air Canada employees that bilingualism is a constraint, not a value, and that Rousseau is not suitable to be the airline's spokesperson, as reported. Many questioned the timing of Rousseau's retirement announcement, with unknowns remaining about who will succeed him as CEO and what specific actions or changes Air Canada will implement following this incident and controversy. Legal or regulatory consequences from the collision or the language controversy have not been detailed.