Complaints about Air Canada CEO's English speech justified, languages commissioner finds

A preliminary report from the Commissioner of Official Languages says complaints about a predominantly English speech by Air Canada's CEO last fall that allege the speech didn't meet the airline's obligations under the Official Languages Act were founded.

However, languages commissioner Raymond Thberge notes the conclusions are not final and the parties involved will have achance to comment before the final report.

Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau sparked an outcry last Novemberwhen, following a 26-minute speech in English that included about 20 seconds of French, he told reporters he didn't need to learn French to live in Montreal for 14 years.

Rousseau later apologized and has since started taking French lessons.

"I admit that I made a mistake by not learning to speak French when I joined Air Canada and I am correcting that mistake at this point," he toldtheparliamentary standing committee on official languages in March.

Rousseau told MPshe studies French every morning with tutors from reputable firms.

Most complaints ever received

As of Feb. 28, the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages had received 2,680 complaints about Rousseau's Nov. 3speech tothe Montreal chamber of commercethe most complaints ever received by the officeina single case.

Bilingualism is a crucial skill for leaders, Thberge said in his statement, especially those in institutions subject to the Official Languages Act.

Citing testimoniesfrom complainants, Thberge wrote they judged Rousseau'scomments to becontemptuous, disrespectful, insulting, hurtful, inexcusable and shameful, and they lacked sensitivity towardthe French language and French-speaking Canadians.

Air Canada defends itself

In response, Air Canada said Rousseau'sremarks had been misinterpreted and thecomplaints should have been dismissed by the Office of the Commissioner, since the speech was made during a private activity.

According to Air Canada, the Montreal chamber of commerce had been advised that Rousseau's speechwould be in English and did not provide simultaneous translation to participants, according tothe preliminary report.

French and English text versions of the speech were given to the chamber's communicationsrepresentative, andAir Canada claims also to have simultaneously postedFrench and English versions of the speech on its website, but did not specify when, according to the report.

Thberge found thosearguments aren't enough to clear the airline.

Air Canada occupies a special place in Canadian society, he wrote,adding the events of Nov. 3 caused harm to the status of French in Canada.

Recommendations

The commissioner's preliminary report makes fiverecommendations.

The office wants the airlineto ensure senior leadersand spokespeopleknowall communications from headquarters to the publicincluding speechesmustbe made in both official languages withequal quality, toimplement a policy guaranteeing that, and to monitor compliance.

The commissioner also recommendsadding specific and measurable official language performance objectivesto the performance evaluations of all senior leaders, and asksAir Canada to update the commissioner's office on initiatives undertakento strengthen official languages practices.

WATCH | Seethe full exchange between Rousseau and reporters after his speech in November:

Air Canada CEO struggles to answer questions in French in Montreal

3 years ago

Duration 1:38

Michael Rousseau was asked in French by a journalist for Quebec TV news channel LCN how he's managed to live in Montreal for so long despite speaking little French.