Michael Rousseau summoned to appear before House of Commons committee after delivering condolence message about fatal crash
Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau has been summoned to appear before a House of Commons committee after delivering a condolence message about a fatal crash at New York’s LaGuardia Airport almost entirely in English.
The Commons Official Languages Committee voted unanimously on Tuesday to call Rousseau to Ottawa to explain why his four‑minute online video – released after an Air Canada Express flight collided with a fire truck on Sunday – contained only two words in French, CBC News reported.
“The 10 elected members of the committee unanimously adopted a motion to ask the CEO of Air Canada to come and explain himself,” the committee said in a statement.
Details of the LaGuardia crash
The crash at LaGuardia involved Air Canada Express Flight 8646, operated by Jazz. The aircraft was arriving from Montreal late Sunday when it struck an Airport Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicle on the runway shortly after landing. Both the captain and first officer were killed; dozens of other people, including emergency personnel, were injured.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of two Jazz employees, and our deepest condolences go out to the entire Jazz community and their families,” Air Canada said in a statement.
In his video, Rousseau said he was “deeply saddened” by the loss of life and described the collision as a “very dark day” for Air Canada. The message was posted online with French subtitles but was spoken almost entirely in English.
Air Canada President and CEO Michael Rousseau provides a video statement on the tragic accident involving Air Canada Express AC8646: pic.twitter.com/ZwFibpOkj2
— Air Canada (@AirCanada) March 23, 2026
Air Canada’s explanation for English‑only remarks
In a statement issued late Tuesday, Air Canada said Rousseau chose to speak in English “to ensure his message was received as clearly as possible given the emotional circumstances,” CBC News reported.
“Mr. Rousseau felt it was important to personally address our customers, our employees, and those of Jazz, their families, and all those affected in any way. He therefore recorded a message before leaving for the crash site,” the airline said.
The airline added that “despite his efforts, his ability to speak French does not allow him to convey such a sensitive message as effectively as he would have liked in that language.”
“We have therefore used subtitles to ensure everyone can receive his message directly.” The company said any factual information about the collision that Rousseau provided in the video was also posted online in both official languages, according to CBC’s report.
Previously, dozens of Quebecers filed complaints with the provincial government alleging that their employers are penalising them because they have little or no command of a language other than French.
Previous language controversy and complaints
Rousseau’s language choices have been under political and public scrutiny before. Four years ago, he was summoned to Ottawa after delivering a 26‑minute speech in Montreal almost entirely in English, speaking only about 20 seconds in French and later telling reporters he did not need to learn French to live in Montreal, where he had been based for 14 years, CBC News has previously reported.
In 2021, Rousseau faced criticism after not speaking in French in a meeting with Montreal’s Chamber of Commerce. CTV News reported that Michael Rousseau spoke almost entirely in English in a 26-minute speech with the chamber and then refused to speak French in an interview with reporters afterwards.
“Can you do that in English? Because I want to make sure I understand your question before I respond to it,” he told a reporter then. “I’ve been able to live in Montreal without speaking in French, and I think that’s a testament on the city of Montreal,” he later added.
The Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages received more than 2,600 complaints following that speech, according to earlier CBC coverage. Rousseau later apologised and told the parliamentary standing committee on official languages in March 2022 that he had begun taking French lessons.
“I admit that I made a mistake by not learning to speak French when I joined Air Canada and I am correcting that mistake at this point,” he told the committee at the time, as reported by CBC.
Air Canada covered by Official Languages Act
Rousseau has led Air Canada, which is subject to the federal Official Languages Act, since early 2021. The latest summons adds to ongoing scrutiny of the national carrier’s compliance with its obligations to serve and communicate with the public in both of Canada’s official languages.
Air Canada is covered by the federal Official Languages Act (OLA). Under the legislation, the airline must provide air services and incidental services in English and French where the OLA requires it (for example, on bilingual routes and at designated bilingual airports and offices). It must also ensure customers can communicate with the company and receive services in the official language of their choice.
Air Canada’s own code of conduct and language policy restate and extend these legal obligations. The company says that, as required by the Air Canada Public Participation Act, it “must comply with the Official Languages Act” and is “proud and committed to providing services in both official languages” so that customers can communicate with the company in the official language of their choice.
On its “Official and other languages” page, Air Canada states that it “is proud to offer bilingual services in the country’s two official languages: English and French” and that it provides language training and skills maintenance to public‑facing employees who serve customers in English and French where required across its network.
In late 2025, Ottawa tabled draft regulations that would grant the Commissioner of Official Languages authority to impose fines of up to $50,000 on certain companies that fail to provide services in both English and French.
The use of the French language in the workplace has seen a decline as more Quebec workers incorporate English in their everyday lives, according to a previous report.
