An Air Canada Express jet taxis past the wreckage of an Air Canada Express jet, Wednesday, March 25, 2026, as maintenance crews prepare to move the plane from the runway where it had collided with a Port Authority fire truck Sunday night at LaGuardia Airport, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

By The Canadian Press

Air Canada CEO apologizes for inability to express himself adequately in French

Mar 26, 2026 | 5:31 AM

MONTREAL — The chief executive of Air Canada is apologizing for not being able to express himself adequately in French in a video message of condolence he released after the deadly plane crash in New York on Sunday.

Michael Rousseau has been criticized for the four-minute video posted online that only included two French words — “bonjour” and “merci.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney said the decision to release the video message only in English showed a “lack of judgment and lack of compassion.”

Rousseau has also been summoned to testify at the House of Commons official languages committee.

The Air Canada chief executive says he is “deeply saddened” that his inability to speak French has diverted attention from the profound grief of the families of the pilots killed in the crash.

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He apologized that despite many lessons over several years he is still unable to express himself adequately in French, but added he is continuing his efforts to improve.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 26, 2026.

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The Canadian Press