Carney condemns Air Canada CEO’s English-only statement following crash
Global News
Michael Rousseau has been summoned to Ottawa by the official languages committee, which voted unanimously for him to answer why he spoke only two words in French in the video.
Prime Minister Mark Carney is criticizing Air Canada president and CEO Michael Rousseau for making an English-only statement of condolences following the deadly Sunday night crash of one of the airline’s planes at LaGuardia Airport.
One of the pilots killed in that crash was from Quebec.
“I’m very disappointed, as others are — rightly so — in this unilingual message of the CEO of Air Canada. It doesn’t matter the circumstances but particularly in these circumstances: a lack of judgment and a lack of compassion,” Carney told reporters on Thursday morning, speaking first in French before repeating the criticisms in English.
“We live in a bilingual country. Companies like Air Canada, particularly, have a responsibility to always communicate in both official languages, regardless of the situation.”
Rousseau has been summoned to appear before the House of Commons standing committee on official languages, which voted unanimously on Tuesday afternoon for Rousseau to answer why he spoke only two words in French in the video, which were “bonjour” and “merci.”
The video had French subtitles.
“I will follow his comments closely and comments, which I would expect in due course, from the board of directors,” Carney said.
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