The CEO of Air Canada has apologized after he faced massive criticism and calls for his resignation for not speaking French in a condolence video following a fatal collision between a plane and a truck at New York’s LaGuardia Airport.
In a four-minute video released last week the day after the accident, Michael Rousseau delivered his message almost entirely in English, using only two French words – “Bonjour” and “Merci”. The video included subtitles in both languages.
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The backlash has since evolved into a broader debate in Canada over the language that overshadowed the deaths of two young pilots in the collision.
Air Canada President and CEO Michael Rousseau makes a video statement on the tragic accident involving Air Canada Express AC8646: pic.twitter.com/ZwFibpOkj2 — Air Canada (@AirCanada) March 23, 2026
Language series eclipses the tragedy
Canada has two official languages: English and French. The issue is particularly important in Quebec, a predominantly French-speaking province where Air Canada is headquartered.
Montreal, the flight’s departure point, is in Quebec, and one of the deceased pilots was a French Canadian.
As of March 27, the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages ​​had received 2,195 complaints about Rousseau’s video, most of them angry that the Air Canada boss had not offered his condolences in both official languages.
The controversy also sparked sharp reactions from political leaders.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said the message, written only in English, showed “a lack of compassion,” while Quebec Premier Francois Legault said Rousseau should resign if he doesn’t speak French.
Rousseau, an anglophone living in Quebec, has faced scrutiny over his knowledge of French since his appointment in 2021.
AIR CANADA CEO apologizes
In a written statement released last Thursday in both English and French, Rousseau apologized but also acknowledged that the controversy had taken the focus away from the victims.
“Unfortunately, despite many lessons over several years, I still do not manage to express myself adequately in French. For this I sincerely apologize, but I continue to strive to improve,” he said.
He added that he was deeply saddened that his inability to speak French had “diverted the attention” of grieving families and Air Canada employees.
FATAL PLANE-TRUCK COLLISION
The accident occurred when an Air Canada Express jet carrying 72 passengers collided with a fire truck on the runway after landing at LaGuardia Airport on March 22.
The truck, which was responding to a separate incident involving another aircraft, had been cleared to cross the runway shortly before the plane landed.
Two pilots, Captain Antoine Forest and First Officer Mackenzie Gunther, were killed. About 40 people were treated for injuries, including two firefighters and a flight attendant who survived after being thrown onto the tarmac while still strapped to her seat.
US investigators are still working to determine what led to the fatal collision.
– Ends
Published by:
Devika Bhattacharya
Published on:
Mar 30, 2026 09:40 IST
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