The Deputy Prime Minister of Canada, Chrystia Freeland, wrote a letter to the Board of Directors of Air Canada asking that the improvement of the French of its CEO, Michael Rousseau, be among the determining factors of the evaluation of its annual yield. She also asks that knowledge of French become an “important criterion” for obtaining promotions.
Ms. Freeland sent this letter to Vagn Sorensen, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Air Canada, following the controversy raised by a speech in English only by Mr. Rousseau before the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal (CCMM). Mr. Rousseau then explained to journalists by evoking a too busy schedule to learn French and said that he had not had to communicate in French even though he had lived in Quebec for 14 years.
The Deputy Prime Minister of Canada once again expressed the “disappointment” of the Canadian government with the “recent actions” of Mr. Rousseau, and argued that “his comments in relation to the use of the language are completely incompatible with the Corporation’s commitment to both official languages since the very first days of the privatization of Air Canada ”.
According to her, Mr. Rousseau’s comments are also “contrary to the expectations of many Canadians – Air Canada customers – of their national airline”.
Steps to take
This is why she submitted, after discussions with the Ministers of Transport, Omar Alghabra, and Official Languages, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, measures that should be taken as soon as possible to ensure the improvement of French in Mr. Rousseau and knowledge of French in management positions at Air Canada.
She also believes that “the board of directors should review the policies and practices relating to the use of French” at Air Canada, and that “the results of this review should be made public.”
Minister Petitpas Taylor, intercepted on her arrival at the Liberal caucus meeting on Monday morning, did not ask for the resignation of Mr. Rousseau, as several political actors have done since last week.
“This is a question you need to ask the board of directors. It is ultimately they who are in charge. And then I can not wait to see what will be the directives, ”she offered.
The Conservative leader dodged the same question. “I am disappointed with Mr. Rousseau’s speech […] I hope he will have a strong commitment to French, ”said Erin O’Toole, at a press briefing in Ottawa on Monday morning when asked if Mr. Rousseau should resign.