Air Canada CEO Faces Backlash for English-Only Crash Message

0:00It's March 25th. This is Vancouver News today, AI-powered stories from your city. I'm Corey with the story. Air Canada's chief executive sparked outrage with an English-only video message posted the day after a tragic crash that killed two pilots, one A. French-speaking pilot from Quebec. The airline has clear duties under Canada's Official Languages Act to communicate in both English and French, especially in sensitive times like this. In the nearly four-minute clip shared on social media, the CEO offered condolences for the sombre day, but stuck mostly to English, starting with A. Hello and ending with thank you in French. Subtitles appeared in both languages, but critics said that fell short given the circumstances. Prime Minister Mark Carney voiced deep disappointment, pointing to a lack of judgment and compassion, particularly since one victim was a francophone. Quebecer. Quebec premier Francois Legault called for the CEO's immediate resignation, while federal ministers labeled to move unacceptable and stressed air.

1:01Canada's obligations. This billed on past issues, as over four years ago, the CEO promised to sharpen his French skills after backlash over comments downplaying the need to speak it in Montreal. He even faced a parliamentary grilling back then. Now summoned to a House of Commons Committee by May 1st, his upcoming remarks and the board's response will face close scrutiny amid renewed pushes. For stronger bilingual practices at the airline.