Will the CEO of Air Canada deign to answer the MPs' questions in French?
The airline's big boss is eagerly awaited by elected officials in Ottawa
Air Canada CEO Faces Scrutiny Over Language and New Baggage Fee
Three years after delivering a controversial speech in Montreal solely in English, the CEO of Air Canada, Michael Rousseau, is set to face federal MPs. They are expected to question him about the newly introduced $35 baggage fee, with some MPs raising concerns over his ability to respond in French.
Language Concerns Persist
Air Canada spokesperson Christophe Hennebelle clarified that Rousseau’s remarks during the committee session would "primarily be in English" but noted that two French-speaking vice-presidents would accompany him.
Bloc Québécois MP Xavier Barsalou-Duval expressed disappointment, emphasizing that after three years, Rousseau should be able to communicate in French. "Being answered in French is the minimum respect expected from the CEO of a Montreal-based company headquartered in Quebec," he stated.
Marie-Anne Alepin, president of the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Montréal, echoed the sentiment. "He [Rousseau] has become the symbol of what is wrong with French in Quebec. We expect French to be quite present tomorrow," she said, also offering support to help Air Canada adhere to its linguistic commitments.
Complaint Trends
The Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages continues to receive numerous complaints about Air Canada. The company remains the subject of the highest number of complaints filed annually.
Rousseau’s infamous 2021 remarks, where he stated he had “always been able to live in Montreal without speaking French,” triggered 2,680 complaints following his English-only address to the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal.
Despite a reduction in complaints in recent years, Commissioner Raymond Théberge noted that Air Canada remains a frequent offender. "My power to impose administrative financial sanctions, when it comes into force, will allow me to increase the pressure," Théberge said.
Progress and Commitments
Air Canada claims that 15% of its directors speak "fluent French" and that six of its seven executive committee members are bilingual. The airline also reiterated that Rousseau is continuing his personal commitment to learning French.
The carrier is subject to the Official Languages Act, which has obligated it to uphold linguistic commitments since its privatization in 1988.
Broader Context
This is not the first time language policies have come under scrutiny. Last summer, a report highlighted that French was not required for certain positions in predominantly French-speaking areas of Quebec, prompting Canada Post to revise its job descriptions.
The issue of language rights remains central to discussions around Quebec’s cultural and linguistic identity, with Air Canada frequently in the spotlight.
