"Rousseau's message was meant to offer condolences for the deaths and sympathy for the injured—and also to reassure the company's rattled 37,000 employees and put the spotlight on the heroism of the pilots and crew."
"For many Québécois, French is not just a means of communication but a core marker of identity—which helps explain the intense emotional reactions when they feel it is sidelined in official settings."
Michael Rousseau, CEO of Air Canada, faced backlash for posting condolences in English after a fatal crash at LaGuardia airport. The incident, which resulted in the deaths of two pilots, marked the airline's first fatal accident since 1983. Rousseau's decision to use English, rather than French, in a predominantly French-speaking region like Quebec, sparked outrage among many Canadians. This controversy ultimately contributed to his announced retirement later this year, despite claims of reaching a natural retirement age and ongoing succession planning.
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