The Scoop: Air Canada is required to offer bilingual services. Its CEO doesn’t speak French.

After a tragic crash involving an Air Canada Express flight earlier this week, the airline's CEO, Michael Rousseau, faced significant backlash for delivering his condolences in a public video that was only in English. While the video did include French subtitles, this was not enough to satisfy the expectations of the Canadian public, where both English and French are official languages. Air Canada, headquartered in Montreal, is uniquely required by law to offer all services in both languages.

The incident occurred at a sensitive time for the airline, as the crashed flight originated from Montreal. Rousseau's inability to communicate in French during a moment of national mourning was seen as a serious oversight. Prime Minister Mark Carney publicly criticized the CEO's actions, calling them "lacking judgment and compassion." In response, Rousseau issued a statement expressing deep regret for the situation. He acknowledged that his inability to speak French had distracted from the grief of the families affected and the resilience of Air Canada's employees.

Rousseau's language skills have been a topic of discussion since 2021, when he claimed his demanding work schedule left him little time to become proficient in French. However, the Air Canada board stated that the CEO's language abilities would be evaluated as part of his annual review. In 2025, while not yet fluent, Rousseau's colleagues noted that he had made progress in fulfilling his personal pledge to learn French.

The situation highlights the legal and cultural implications of Air Canada's choice to appoint a CEO who does not meet the airline's bilingual requirements. As the only airline in Canada legally obligated to provide services in both English and French, Air Canada's leadership must navigate the complexities of multilingualism in the country. The incident has sparked questions about whether Rousseau's appointment was a misjudgment, particularly given his position at an airline based in a French-speaking province.

The backlash against Rousseau underscores the importance of language in fostering trust and understanding within a diverse society. While the CEO's efforts to improve his French are commendable, the situation has raised concerns about the potential consequences for Air Canada, both in terms of public perception and legal obligations. The airline's response to this crisis will be closely watched, as it navigates the delicate balance between its legal responsibilities and the expectations of its bilingual customer base.