Air Canada French Language Neglect | Criticism of CEO

Michael Rousseau, the President and CEO of Air Canada, continues to face scrutiny over his limited proficiency in French, more than three years after initially pledging to improve his language skills. The ongoing situation has reignited criticism, particularly in Quebec, where French is the official language.

During a parliamentary committee hearing in 2024, Rousseau admitted his difficulty in speaking French, stating, “I am sorry I am not speaking to you in French. I continue my courses […], but it’s difficult. Thank you for your understanding.” This followed a previous period of public concern sparked by his initial lack of fluency when he took the helm of the Montreal-based airline.

Air Canada, subject to Canada’s Official Languages Act, acknowledged Rousseau’s continued efforts to learn French in a recent shareholder circular. However, the document revealed that, as of March 28, 2024, Rousseau was not considered by the company to be an administrator capable of expressing himself fluently in French. The circular indicated that only 15% of Air Canada’s board members – Madeleine Paquin and Jean-Marc Huot – possess a “current” level of French proficiency, defined as the ability to communicate with ease.

According to Air Canada’s reporting, 54% of the 13 board members possess “various levels of competence” in French, but the company declined to provide further details on the extent of these skills. This lack of transparency has fueled further criticism. A motion brought forward by the Bloc Québécois has sought to compel Rousseau to disclose the amount of time he has dedicated to learning French.

As of February 2025, Arielle Meloul-Wechsler serves as Air Canada’s General Vice-President and Chief Human Resources and Public Affairs Officer. The composition of the executive team, and the language skills of its members, remain a point of interest in the ongoing debate surrounding Air Canada’s commitment to bilingualism.

Despite having completed 313 hours of French lessons, Rousseau’s limited French remains a contentious issue, prompting questions about Air Canada’s dedication to Canada’s linguistic duality. The company has not announced any new initiatives or timelines regarding Rousseau’s language acquisition.