Originally Posted by
RangerNS
What other Canadian private company, with an international presence, expects their CEO to be bilingual?
A company that wishes to succeed does require that some of its senior management have a capability of understanding the market in which they operate. AC has a significant presence in the French language speaking parts of Canada and the world. A large part of targeted AC growth markets speak a common language - French. Specifically, North Africa and Central Africa.
Originally Posted by
jasdou
The representative of the head of state of Canada does not even speak French. These situations happen everywhere, at every level. One shouldn't be surprised that there's backlash from the Francophone community in this country when mastery of the French language is treated as a secondary, unnecessary and non-value adding skill. But we're getting dangerously close to being off topic - we may already be, actually, but I'll let the mods settle that debate.
The difference is that the Gov. General has made a distinct effort to speak the language of the people she represents. Her boss is pretty good in French too. The issue was the CEO's attitude and dismissive tone. A humble and wise man would have said shucks, I am working on it and not made comments that were sure to provoke a reaction.
Originally Posted by
Symmetre
Now it is being reported that Chrystia Freeland says learning to speak French should become part of Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau’s performance review.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/cana...s-performance/
How remarkable that the federal government feels entitled to dictate employment terms to a publicly-owned company. Me thinks Ms Freeland's hat has grown a bit too tight.
Minister Freeland speaks 5 languages some of which are difficult, so not the right person to criticize in that regard. And yes, she had a point. As is pointed out elsewhere, AC has the basis with which to have the expectation that a senior executive have some basic knowledge of the two languages at least to the extent that he would not create a PR fiasco.
Originally Posted by
garykung
And again - a violation of rights guaranteed by Canadian Charter.
Nope.