“I had to learn to speak English to be able to work everywhere in Canada, he must learn to speak French to do the same thing…”, reacted entrepreneur Olivier Primeau, upon learning that the CEO of Air Canada did not plan to speak French in committee today in Ottawa.
• Also read: Will the CEO of Air Canada deign to respond in French?
• Also read: Olivier Primeau comes to the defense of English
As in fact, Michael Rousseau opened his speech with two or three sentences in labored French.
“I’m sorry for not speaking to you in French. I continue my lessons […]. It’s difficult. Thank you for your understanding,” Mr. Rousseau jabbered before continuing in the language of Shakespeare.
“A question of respect”
According to entrepreneur Olivier Primeau, well known for Beachclub, being bilingual should not be “an asset, but a necessity” for the CEO of the largest airline in the country.
“Canada is a bilingual country and to be at the head of Air Canada, the CEO must absolutely speak French. It is not only a question of respect for the laws, but also of proximity to the Quebec market, essential for the company,” denounced Olivier Primeau.
“Quebec represents a large part of the clientele and employees and being able to communicate directly in French strengthens ties, it’s just a question of respect,” he added.
Slice Gang Pizza
Four years ago, Olivier Primeau did not like being criticized for choosing an English-speaking name for his Slice Gang Pizza restaurant banner.
“It’s such an easy excuse from defenders of the French language: “Change the name of your restaurants.” I have one of my restaurants called Kampai. Are people going to come to me and say: “Change your name”?” he asked himself out loud.
The entrepreneur was also irritated by the debate caused by the name given to his frozen poutine box, Pause Poutine Time.
“I changed it because it said “Putin Every Day”. I had a few complaints, and they changed it immediately. “Time” is bigger because Costco asked for it because they have more stores in English,” he said.
That said, when it comes to the French of the CEO of Air Canada, Primeau is uncompromising: Michael Rousseau must speak French.
Quebecers insulted
Friday, The Journal reported that Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau did not plan to speak French during his committee appearance in Ottawa.
Voices like the Bloc Québécois and the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Montréal deplored this choice.
Air Canada is the company “which is the subject of the greatest number of complaints filed with the Office of the Commissioner year after year,” recalls Raymond Théberge, Commissioner of Official Languages.
Complaints against Air Canada over the past three years.
Table provided by the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
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