Prime Minister Mark Carney has criticized the Air Canada CEO for issuing an English-only message of condolence following a fatal runway collision at LaGuardia Airport in New York that resulted in the deaths of two pilots. Carney described the decision as demonstrating a “lack of judgment” and “lack of compassion.”
The incident has sparked renewed debate over linguistic rights in Canada, particularly in Quebec where French is the sole official language. The CEO’s message revived frustrations and fears regarding protections for the French language.
Critics have also pointed out the CEO’s limited use of French, despite it being an official language of Canada. Calls for the Air Canada executive’s resignation have been growing in response to the situation.