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Air Canada’s chief executive Michael Rousseau has come under fire following his decision to deliver a message of condolence exclusively in English in response to the deadly runway collision at LaGuardia Airport, CBC’s Andrew Chang reports.
Rousseau faced significant criticism for failing to address victims and their grieving families in both of Canada’s official languages, a notable omission given the country’s bilingual obligations and the airline’s status as a federally regulated carrier.
The fatal incident at New York’s LaGuardia Airport prompted the Air Canada CEO to publicly address the tragedy, however his choice to communicate solely in English drew sharp rebukes from those who argue a bilingual response was not only expected but required.
Chang’s reporting highlights the growing controversy surrounding Rousseau’s handling of the public statement, with critics questioning whether the airline’s leadership demonstrated appropriate sensitivity and adherence to Canada’s official languages framework during a moment of national and international attention.
Visual content accompanying the report was sourced from The Canadian Press, Reuters and Getty Images.