Air Canada CEO's speech in English in Quebec drew outrage, with Trudeau saying it was "unacceptable"

Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau caused outrage over his speech in French-speaking In French. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, upon learning of the incident, said the act was "unacceptable."

An Air Canada airliner taxied after landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Jan. 7. (Source: China News Service)

Beijing's "Global Times" quoted Reuters as reporting on the 9th that Quebec is canada's French-speaking region, and Rousseau gave his first speech at the local chamber of commerce last week but almost all of it was in English, causing public dissatisfaction. After the speech, Rousseau said that although he had lived in Montreal (the largest city in Quebec) for 14 years, he had never studied French or had time to learn.

Rousseau added: "Isn't it the best proof of the city that I can live here without speaking French?" ”

Fearing that English would replace French, Quebec authorities are trying to step up protections for the French language. Before Rousseau's speech, the Governor and Language Commissioner of Quebec had warned Air Canada in advance that speaking only in English would cause strong opposition, but it was not taken seriously.

After the incident fermented, Rousseau quickly apologized and promised to learn French immediately, but the people did not buy it. Some people questioned that Rousseau's mother and wife spoke French, and he himself lived here for more than a decade, but he was "French blind"?

In response to this matter, Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau said that this situation is "unacceptable" and that at present, many officials have asked Rousseau to step down.

According to Canadian CTV News, Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland has sent a letter to Air Canada's board of directors asking for Rousseau's French skills as a decisive factor in his annual performance evaluation. (End)