However, Language Commissioner Raymond Théberge notes that the conclusions are not final and that stakeholders will have the opportunity to comment before the final report. Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau was outraged last November when, after a 26-minute speech in English that lasted about 20 seconds in French, he told reporters he did not need to learn French to live in Montreal for 14 years. . Rousseau later apologized and has since taken French lessons. “I admit I made a mistake in not learning to speak French when I entered Air Canada and I am correcting that mistake here,” he told the parliamentary’s Standing Committee on Official Languages in March. Rousseau told lawmakers he learns French every morning with teachers from reputable companies.
Most complaints ever received
As of February 28, the Office of the Commissioner for Official Languages had received 2,680 complaints about Rousseau’s speech on November 3 at the Montreal Chamber of Commerce – the most complaints the office has ever received in a single case. Bilingualism is a critical skill for leaders, Théberge said in a statement, especially to institutions subject to the Law on Official Languages. Citing testimonies from complainants, Théberge wrote that they considered Rousseau’s comments to be contemptuous, disrespectful, offensive, offensive, unforgivable and shameful, and that they had no sensitivity to the French language and to French-speaking Canadians. French-speaking supporters protest Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau’s inability to speak French during a demonstration in Montreal on November 13, 2021. (The Canadian Press / Ryan Remiorz)
Air Canada is defending itself
In response, Air Canada said Rousseau’s remarks had been misinterpreted and the complaints should have been rejected by the Commissioner’s Office, as the speech was made during a private meeting. According to Air Canada, the Montreal Chamber of Commerce was informed that Rousseau’s speech would be in English and did not provide simultaneous translation to participants, according to the preliminary report. The French and English versions of the speech were given to the chamber’s communications spokesman, and Air Canada also claimed to have published both French and English versions of the speech on its website, but did not say when, according to the report. Théberge found that these arguments were not sufficient to clear the airline. Air Canada holds a special place in Canadian society, he wrote, adding that the events of November 3 caused damage to the French regime in Canada. The Commissioner for Official Languages of Canada, Raymond Théberge, wrote in a preliminary report that the events of November 3 had a negative effect on the situation of French in the country. (Sean Kilpatrick / The Canadian Press)
recommendations
The Commissioner’s preliminary report makes five recommendations. The airline wants the airline to ensure that senior management and representatives know that all communications from headquarters to the public – including speeches – must be in both official languages of the same quality, in order to implement a policy which also guarantees compliance monitoring. The Commissioner also recommends adding specific and measurable official language performance targets to the performance evaluations of all senior leaders and asks Air Canada to inform the Commissioner’s Office of any initiatives taken to strengthen official language practices. CLOCKS Check out the full exchange of views between Rousseau and journalists following his speech in November:
Air Canada CEO Struggles to Answer Questions in French in Montreal
Michael Rousseau was asked in French by a reporter for the Quebec television news channel Quebec how he managed to live in Montreal for so long despite speaking little French. 1:38
