The so-called controversy over Air Canada’s CEO not knowing French despite residing in Montreal for 14 years continues to escalate in its absurdity. Last week, CEO Michael Rousseau admitted he couldn’t speak the language in front of reporters, leading to a spiral of outrage and political pandering that apparently has no end in sight.
Politicians on both sides of the aisle were quick to use the occasion to show just how sensitive they are to Quebec’s easily-hurt feelings. Jagmeet Singh and the NDP ludicrously called for Rousseau’s resignation with quite the rhetorical flourish.
Meanwhile, Conservative leader Erin O’Toole tweeted — only in French — that “A person who occupies such a managerial position at Air Canada should ensure that they are fluently bilingual.”
Now, the latest: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland wrote a letter to Air Canada’s chairman saying that Rousseau should not only significantly improve his French, but that doing so “should be incorporated as one of his key performance goals.”
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