Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau has apologized for his poor French language skills, which he said distracted attention from the grieving families of the two pilots killed in a crash at LaGuardia airport in New York, according to the BBC.

Language and Leadership Under Scrutiny

Rousseau released a video statement on Thursday in response to criticism that his condolences were delivered exclusively in English, despite French being an official language in Canada. In the statement. He said he was ‘deeply saddened’ that his inability to communicate in French ‘diverted attention’ from the victims’ families and Air Canada staff.

‘I am unable to express myself adequately in French, despite taking lessons over the years,’ Rousseau said in a written statement released in both English and French. The statement did not address the calls for him to resign, which have intensified since the crash on Sunday.

Antoine Forest, one of the two pilots killed in the accident, was a French Canadian — the incident has sparked a political backlash, with Prime Minister Mark Carney stating that Rousseau’s English-only message showed ‘a lack of compassion.’

Quebec Premier François Legault has also called on Rousseau to step down if he is unable to speak French. ‘If he is unable to speak French, he should not be in the position he’s in,’ Legault said in a statement.

Crash Details and Aftermath

The collision occurred when an Air Canada plane operated by Jazz Aviation struck a fire truck at LaGuardia airport shortly after landing on Sunday night. The flight had departed from Montreal, Quebec, and resulted in two fatalities and dozens of injuries. As of Wednesday, four passengers remained in the hospital.

Rousseau released a video statement on X (formerly Twitter) shortly after the accident, expressing ‘deepest sorrow for everyone affected.’ The message was delivered in English, with subtitles in both English and French. However, the use of subtitles did not satisfy critics who argued that a full French message was necessary.

The incident has drawn the attention of Canada’s parliamentary Committee on Official Languages, which summoned Rousseau to explain why his message was released in English only. The committee is expected to question him before members of Parliament on the matter.

Historical Context and Language Requirements

Rousseau has faced scrutiny in the past for his lack of fluency in French. Shortly after being appointed CEO of Air Canada in 2021, he apologized and committed to improving his French skills. However, the recent incident has reignited criticism about his ability to meet the language requirements of his role.

Air Canada, which began as a federal public corporation and became a private company in 1988, remains subject to Canada’s Official Languages Act. Announcements on board planes are made in both English and French. However, Rousseau’s failure to deliver his condolences in both languages has raised questions about the airline’s compliance with the law.

Investigations into the crash are ongoing. On Tuesday, authorities released details from the final three minutes of cockpit voice recordings and tower communications. The recordings indicated that air traffic controllers had cleared both the plane and a fire truck to cross the runway. A voice was heard telling the truck to stop moments before the collision.

Operations at LaGuardia were scaled back after the accident. On Thursday, the damaged airplane was towed away, and authorities said they were working to reopen the runway where the collision took place ‘no later than Friday morning.’

Rousseau’s apology and his ongoing efforts to improve his French skills have not yet placated critics. The incident highlights the importance of language in leadership roles, particularly in a country where both English and French are official languages. With the parliamentary committee set to question Rousseau, the situation remains under close watch.