Air Canada CEO issues apology over English-only condolence video after crash

After taking a thrashing from politicians of all stripes yesterday, the CEO of Air Canada is addressing the controversy over his English-only condolences video to those impacted by the deadly crash of Flight 8646.

Michael Rousseau says he is “deeply saddened” by his inability to speak French. He apologized and said he will continue to improve.

Rousseau is lamenting the distraction caused by his poor French skills.

He writes in a statement released in French and English Thursday morning, “I am deeply saddened that my inability to speak French has diverted attention from the profound grief of the families and the great resilience of Air Canada’s employees. Despite many lessons over several years, unfortunately, I am still unable to express myself adequately in French. I sincerely apologize for this, but I am continuing my efforts to improve.”

But the apology isn’t moving the government of Quebec, which followed through with its plan to call for Rousseau’s ouster – tabling a motion in Quebec’s national assembly demanding his resignation and requiring the next Air Canada CEO to have a sufficient command of the French language.

It passed with 92 votes in favour and one abstention.

But an Air Canada spokesperson said last night that Rousseau won’t be resigning.

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Rousseau’s use of only two French words in a four-minute condolences video directed to those impacted by the deadly crash of Air Canada Express Flight AC8646 was called disappointing by the prime minister yesterday.

One of the two Air Canada pilots killed was Antoine Forest of Coteau-Du-Lac, Que.

The plane collided with a fire truck as it landed Sunday night at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, but luckily no one else was killed.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating, saying interviews with key personnel at the airport are underway.

“One controller that was in the tower, the controller in charge, as well as the air traffic manager and the operations supervisor,” said Jennifer Homendy, U.S. NTSB chairwoman.

The NTSB is expected to have a preliminary report on the crash within 30 days.

Rousseau has been called to testify before the standing committee on official languages sometime before May 1.

He was previously summoned to testify in 2021 after the official languages commissioner received a record number of complainants about a mostly-English speech he gave in Montreal.

He promised to learn French at that time, but never followed through.

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