“Rousseau does not speak French – a language spoken by both his mother and wife, and roughly 80% of the population of Quebec.”

“When he assumed the job in 2021, he pledged to learn the language, but months later prompted angry protests when he addressed the Montreal chamber of commerce in English.”

“Air Canada said in a statement that Rousseau wanted to address 'everyone affected by the tragedy, whether directly or indirectly', himself. 'He therefore recorded a message as a matter of priority before departing on a flight for the crash site. Despite his efforts, his ability to express himself in French does not allow him to convey such a sensitive message in that language as he would wish.'”

“The video included French subtitles, and all available information was communicated in both official languages on the Air Canada website.”

“The federal ministers have summoned him to the official languages committee to 'explain himself' to lawmakers.”

“Canada’s languages commissioner usually receives 100 complaints about the airline each year. But as of Wednesday morning, the commissioner said it received nearly 800 complaints about the video.”

“The two pilots killed in the collision were Antoine Forest from Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec, and Mackenzie Gunther, a 2023 alumnus of Toronto’s Seneca Polytechnic.”