How long does it take to learn the language of Molière? The question was asked Friday during testimony by Air Canada President Michael Rousseau to a parliamentary committee on cabin baggage fees.
Three years after the outcry raised by his lack of mastery of French while he manages a company subject to the Official Languages Act, Mr. Rousseau was unable to answer in this language the questions asked of him by the Member of Parliament for Bloc Québécois Xavier Barsalou-Duval.
I am sorry for not speaking to you in French. I continue my lessons […]but it’s difficult. Thank you for understanding
declared immediately in French the big boss of Air Canada, who was testifying before the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities of the House of Commons.
Mr. Rousseau discussed the additional fees charged by his airline for cabin baggage.
To see today that you are not able to say more than about a sentence in French, then with great difficulty, it leads me to question whether your commitment to learning French is serious or if he is not serious
replied the Bloc Québécois MP, also vice-president of the committee.
Valérie-Micaela Bain’s report
Air Canada is a company based in Montreal, Quebec, and I think Quebecers expect you to learn French […]
he added.
Thank you for your question
replied the main person concerned in French. I am serious about learning French. It’s definitely taking longer than expected, but I’m continuing on this path.
continued, this time in English, Mr. Rousseau.
The Bloc demands a time record
Michael Rousseau’s response did not convince Xavier Barsalou-Duval, who tabled a motion to force Air Canada to disclose the number of hours its president has devoted to learning French since 2021.
The motion was adopted unanimously.
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The MP for Pierre-Boucher–Les Patriotes–Verchères, Xavier Barsalou-Duval. (Archive photo)
Photo : - / Justin Tang
The president of Canada’s largest airline caused an outcry after declaring, in 2021, that he had been able to live in Montreal without speaking French
for 14 years, which was, according to him, all in honor of Montreal
.
Just before, he had delivered a speech exclusively in English to the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal. He justified this monolingualism by a lack of time to learn French.
The Prime Minister of Quebec, François Legault, then said to himself insult
et angry
facing l’attitude
of the president and CEO, and he demanded an apology.
After a deluge of complaints to the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages and calls for his resignation, Michael Rousseau was quick to apologize. A few hours later, the boss of Air Canada committed to improving his French.
The largest air carrier in the country, Air Canada, which was a federal public corporation before being privatized in 1988, is subject to the Official Languages Act. Mr. Rousseau was appointed head in 2021. His predecessor, Calin Rovinescu, was bilingual.
With information from Valérie-Micaela Bain
