Air Canada CEO to retire after “English-only” condolence for Quebec pilot killed in NY crash sparks nationwide outrage
Officers examine the location the place an Air Canada jet got here to relaxation after colliding with a Port Authority firetruck at LaGuardia Airport, shortly after touchdown in New York. (AP Photograph/ file) Air Canada introduced Monday its CEO will retire later this 12 months, after Michael Rousseau was criticized for his English-only message of condolence following this month’s lethal crash in New York.
Canada’s largest airline, based mostly in French-speaking Quebec, mentioned Rousseau advised the board he’ll go away by the top of the third quarter.
Canada is an formally bilingual nation, and Prime Minister Mark Carney had mentioned the English-only message confirmed a scarcity of compassion and judgment. Quebec’s premier and others known as on the airline government to resign.
Antoine Forest, one of many two pilots killed within the crash at LaGuardia Airport, was a French-speaking Quebecer. Forest and Mackenzie Gunther died when the Air Canada Jazz flight from Montreal collided with a hearth truck on the runway shortly after touchdown.
Canada’s largest airline is headquartered in Montreal. Rousseau beforehand had been criticized for not talking French. He delivered his condolence video message in English, with French subtitles. The Workplace of the Commissioner of Official Languages has acquired a whole bunch of complaints about it.
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Steven MacKinnon, Canada’s transport minister, thanked Rousseau in a social media publish and mentioned the federal government will proceed to work intently with Air Canada to make sure it “supplies protected, dependable, reasonably priced, and bilingual service to all Canadians.”
Quebec Premier François Legault famous that when Rousseau was appointed president of the airline in February 2021, he promised to study French.
Quebec’s identification has been contentious for the reason that 1760s, when the British accomplished their takeover of what was then known as New France. Quebec is about 80% French-speaking.
