Air Canada to pay $12K to Ottawa couple over lack of French services
Jul 13, 2011, 2:22 pm
#1
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Air Canada to pay $12K to Ottawa couple over lack of French services
http://ottawa.ctv.ca/servlet/an/loca...hub=OttawaHome
TORONTO — Air Canada must pay $12,000 and apologize to an Ottawa couple after admitting it failed to provide them with services in French, a Federal Court judge ruled Wednesday.
However, the judge decided against imposing punitive damages, saying the carrier has tried to comply with its obligations under the Official Languages Act.
The case arose out of two trips Michel and Lynda Thibodeau made in the first half of 2009 between Ottawa and the United States.
They argued they could not get service in French when they checked in, at the boarding gate and aboard the flight, and that an announcement about a change of baggage carousel was made only in English.
The Ottawa couple each sought $25,000 in compensation.
TORONTO — Air Canada must pay $12,000 and apologize to an Ottawa couple after admitting it failed to provide them with services in French, a Federal Court judge ruled Wednesday.
However, the judge decided against imposing punitive damages, saying the carrier has tried to comply with its obligations under the Official Languages Act.
The case arose out of two trips Michel and Lynda Thibodeau made in the first half of 2009 between Ottawa and the United States.
They argued they could not get service in French when they checked in, at the boarding gate and aboard the flight, and that an announcement about a change of baggage carousel was made only in English.
The Ottawa couple each sought $25,000 in compensation.
Jul 13, 2011, 2:37 pm
#2
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That being the case, they must also be suing everyone they came into contact with in the US.
Idiots like these two make me sick! Les idiots comme ces deux me rendent malade!
Idiots like these two make me sick! Les idiots comme ces deux me rendent malade!
Jul 13, 2011, 3:21 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2010
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Is this for real? Was it a case of services not being offered in French, or of them asking for service in French and being refused?
Either which way, I have little sympathy for this - its supposed to be a private carrier for godssake. Maybe Rovinescu and Dee should spend more time lobbying the government against these stupid rules instead of spending their time lobbying against Emirates/Air Canada CSAs.
Either which way, I have little sympathy for this - its supposed to be a private carrier for godssake. Maybe Rovinescu and Dee should spend more time lobbying the government against these stupid rules instead of spending their time lobbying against Emirates/Air Canada CSAs.
Jul 13, 2011, 3:31 pm
#5
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They argued they could not get service in French when they checked in, at the boarding gate and aboard the flight, and that an announcement about a change of baggage carousel was made only in English.
Jul 13, 2011, 3:39 pm
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Under the Official Languages Act, Air Canada is required to communicate and provide services in both official languages where there is significant demand in the minority language.
"Air Canada admits that it is not always able to provide all services in French as required by the (act), but it submits that breaches are occasional and do not reveal a systemic problem," the judge noted.
So, AC admitted they broke the law and they had to pay a fine. I don't have an opinion on the law itself, but if AC wishes to operate a business in Canada, then they ought to follow the law -- or pay up.
Jul 13, 2011, 3:43 pm
#9
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Apparently, the law requires Air Canada to provide services in (in this case) French.
And Air Canada admits they frequently don't comply with the law.
So, AC admitted they broke the law and they had to pay a fine. I don't have an opinion on the law itself, but if AC wishes to operate a business in Canada, then they ought to follow the law -- or pay up.
And Air Canada admits they frequently don't comply with the law.
So, AC admitted they broke the law and they had to pay a fine. I don't have an opinion on the law itself, but if AC wishes to operate a business in Canada, then they ought to follow the law -- or pay up.
Jul 13, 2011, 3:44 pm
#10
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So the couple didn't suffer any material damage--only subjective emotional damage--but cashed in because AC broke a law.
This is great. I speak English, but maybe I can make a little extra dough by finding AC people who don't speak French and then suing.
This is great. I speak English, but maybe I can make a little extra dough by finding AC people who don't speak French and then suing.
Jul 13, 2011, 3:47 pm
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Jul 13, 2011, 4:47 pm
#13
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I'm not sure why I see this so simply, but I view this as a couple exercising their rights under the law.
Simple solution is for AC to comply with the law in the first place, which I'm not sure why they're not doing....
Simple solution is for AC to comply with the law in the first place, which I'm not sure why they're not doing....
Jul 13, 2011, 4:53 pm
#14
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Could the rare $12K fine be cheaper than providing these services all the time? Not saying that's official airline policy or anything just throwing that out there.
