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Air Canada Chooses Anko van der Werff, Who Speaks French, as CEO After Language Backlash
The New York Times • • business
Key Points:
- Air Canada announced Anko van der Werff, who speaks six languages including French, as its new chief executive, replacing Michael Rousseau.
- Rousseau faced criticism in Quebec for not learning French despite promises, particularly after a 2023 incident where he spoke only minimal French in a video addressing a fatal crash.
- Quebec, a largely French-speaking province, has strict language laws, but Air Canada, as a federally regulated airline, is not bound by these laws, though it must provide services in both official Canadian languages.
- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney publicly expressed disappointment over Rousseau’s failure to communicate adequately in French, emphasizing the importance of bilingualism in Canadian companies.
- Rousseau’s inability to fully learn French contributed to his replacement by van der Werff, who better aligns with the bilingual expectations of Air Canada’s home province.
