This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact The Epoch Times Reprints.
An Air Canada Express jet taxis past the wreckage of an Air Canada Express jet on March 25, 2026, as maintenance crews prepare to move the plane from the runway where it had collided with a Port Authority fire truck on March 22 at LaGuardia Airport, in New York. AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura
Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau has apologized for being unable to speak French fluently after releasing a video message offering condolences in English to the families of two pilots killed in a plane crash at a New York airport earlier this week.
Rousseau has faced criticism for the video statement he released on March 23, which was delivered in English except for the French words “bonjour” at the start of the video and “merci” at the end.
“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, who have demonstrated outstanding professionalism despite the events of the past few days,” Rousseau said in a March 26 statement.
“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.”
A spokesperson for the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages said the office had received more than 1,800 complaints about the video as of March 26.
Two pilots were killed on March 22 after a plane operated by Air Canada Express carrier Jazz Aviation collided with a fire truck while landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. One of the pilots, Antoine Forest, was originally from Coteau-du-Lac in Quebec, while the other pilot, Mackenzie Gunter, was a graduate of Seneca Polytechnic in Toronto.
The plane was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members. More than 40 passengers and crew were injured and taken to hospital, along with two people who were in the fire truck at the time of the crash.
Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters in Parliament on March 25 that he was “extremely disappointed” by Rousseau’s English-only message, which he said showed “a lack of compassion.” Carney said Air Canada has a “special responsibility to communicate, whatever the situation, in both official languages,” given that Canada is a bilingual country.
MPs have summoned Rousseau to Ottawa to answer questions on why he only issued condolences in English. A motion tabled in the House of Commons and adopted nearly unanimously by MPs said Rousseau will need to appear at the House official languages committee to “explain himself” before May 1. The motion also said Rousseau’s statement was “incompatible with the obligations set out in the Official Languages Act and the expectations of the Canadian public.”
Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon told reporters on March 26 that Air Canada has a “solemn responsibility” to communicate with Canadians in both official languages.
While the Quebec government had called for the CEO of Air Canada to be required to speak and understand French, the official languages committee decided during its review of the Official Languages Act in 2023 not to make it a requirement.
Matthew Horwood and The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
