Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau has apologized for not being able to speak or understand the French language after finding himself in hot water after a media event in Montreal.
Rousseau, who took the role as CEO of Air Canada (ADH2) in February 2021, gave his first official speech on November 3, 2021 at the Palais des congrès in Montreal.
The 26-minute speech was delivered in English, and he spoke French for about 20 seconds.
After the speech, Rousseau was interviewed by the press. A French journalist for Quebec TV news channel LCN asked him in French how he had been able to live in Montreal, where Air Canada (ADH2) is based, for 14 years, while speaking very little French.
Rousseau replied in English, ““Can you redo that in English? Because I want to make sure I understand your question before I respond to it.”
When the question was repeated, Rousseau responded by saying, “I’ve been able to live in Montreal without speaking French, and I think that’s a testament to the city of Montreal.”
When asked why he hadn’t learned the language, Rousseau replied that his current priority is to “get Air Canada (ADH2) back to where it was.”
Rousseau also said that he would like to learn French but “If you look at my work schedule, you’d understand why.”
Source: aerotime.aero