MTLQC – Montreal QC
Montréal QC ☕ Morning Chat
Good morning, Montréal.
Mid‑week arrives with a new set of stories that hit close to home.
From a language‑rights controversy in Ottawa to the continued outpouring of solidarity for the victims of the LaGuardia air tragedy — and growing safety concerns in a few neighbourhoods…
…here’s what you need to know this morning.
🔦 Top Story
Air Canada CEO summoned to Ottawa over unilingual condolences
Without hesitation, Air Canada’s CEO was summoned Tuesday to appear before the Official Languages Committee after issuing a unilingual English message of condolence to the families of the pilots — including one from Quebec — who died Sunday night in the crash at New York’s LaGuardia Airport.
The statement sparked “strong indignation” from the committee and was deemed “incompatible with the obligations of the Official Languages Act and the expectations of the Canadian public.” Rousseau must testify for up to an hour by May 1, as criticism mounts in Quebec City, Ottawa, and across social media. The Commissioner of Official Languages had already received 84 complaints by Tuesday afternoon.
In the video, Rousseau refers to a “very dark day” for the airline and says he is “deeply saddened” by the loss of the two pilots. Over nearly four minutes, he speaks only two words in French: a “bonjour” at the start and a “merci” at the end.
Asked to comment, an Air Canada spokesperson said Rousseau wanted to speak personally before travelling to the crash site. “Despite his efforts, his ability to express himself in French does not allow him to deliver such a sensitive message in that language the way he would like. We therefore used subtitles so everyone could receive his message directly.”
At the National Assembly, French Language Minister Jean‑François Roberge did not mince words. “After all these years in Quebec and in Montréal, I think it’s disrespectful on Rousseau’s part. It’s unacceptable,” he said.
This is not the first time Michael Rousseau has faced backlash over language issues. In 2021, he sparked outrage after delivering a mostly English speech in Montréal. He apologized and pledged to improve his French, but three years later, he remains unable to answer questions in the language.
⚡ The Essentials
Hometown mourns Quebec pilot Antoine Forest, killed in the LaGuardia crash
The death of Air Canada Jazz pilot Antoine Forest — who died when his aircraft collided with an emergency vehicle at New York’s LaGuardia Airport on Sunday — has sparked a wave of sympathy in his hometown southwest of Montréal.
Since Monday evening, many residents have been calling Coteau‑du‑Lac’s town hall to offer condolences to Forest’s family. Forest died alongside his co‑pilot, Mackenzie Gunther.
Mayor Andrée Brosseau says she is “heartbroken for the family” and “available to provide any support they need.” With a population of about 7,800, “everyone knows someone who knows the family,” she added.
Quebec’s wildfire prevention agency, SOPFEU, also offered condolences Tuesday. “During the 2021 and 2022 seasons, Antoine worked with SOPFEU operations as a reconnaissance pilot with Exact Air. He was a very kind, very professional, and very well‑liked colleague.”
“They easily saved 70 lives”: Survivors describe the deadly Air Canada crash
Passengers are recounting moments of “chaos” and “shock” after Sunday’s fatal Air Canada crash at LaGuardia Airport, where a plane carrying more than 70 people collided with a truck, killing two pilots.
“It was surreal,” said Blake Richards, a Montréal resident who was on board. He said the landing seemed “perfectly normal” until the pilot braked suddenly. Sitting in row 14, he watched the aircraft split apart. “I saw the cockpit detach from the plane. At that moment, everyone was in shock,” he said.
Passengers also highlighted the actions of the flight crew in the final seconds. “They chose to brake as hard as they could, knowing it might cost them their lives,” said Cabot. “And because of that, they easily saved 70 lives.”
Aviation experts say early indications point to a possible communication failure.
Canada is losing more air traffic controllers than it hires, expert warns
An aviation expert says Canada is losing more air traffic controllers to retirement than it is bringing into the system, despite increased recruitment efforts.
John Gradek, a lecturer in McGill University’s aviation management program, estimates the country is short about 1,500 controllers, with roughly 150 retiring each year. “So guess what? You’re not even covering the retirements,” he said.
Nav Canada, which certifies and hires air traffic service professionals, says it is addressing staffing issues through a multi‑year strategy. Since 2023, the agency has licensed more than 600 professionals, including over 300 controllers.
But Gradek says the numbers still fall short. “Only about 10% of trainees who enter the program actually qualify as full controllers,” he noted.
Fully certified controllers can earn up to $200,000 a year, while trainees earn about $60,000.
Inmate at Donnacona Institution dies after attack
Two inmates in their twenties at Quebec’s Donnacona Institution were taken to hospital Tuesday afternoon after being attacked by other prisoners.
The attack occurred around 7:30 p.m. “One of them was pronounced dead at the hospital,” said SQ spokesperson Béatrice Dorsainville. The second victim’s life is not considered to be in danger.
The SQ’s Major Crimes Division is handling the investigation and visited the scene with the forensic unit.
This is the second death at Donnacona in less than a month. On March 3, one inmate killed another inside the facility.
Quebec reports new measles outbreak, confirms two new cases
Quebec’s public health authority says another measles outbreak is underway, just weeks after a previous outbreak was declared over.
With 48 candidates, Terrebonne’s by‑election will require a write‑in ballot, Elections Canada says
Voters in the federal riding of Terrebonne will have to write the name of their preferred candidate in the April 13 by‑election, after the riding was targeted by the Longest Ballot Committee, resulting in a total of 48 candidates.
Elections Canada announced Tuesday that a “blank ballot” will be used. The decision is based on “past experiences where a high number of candidates ran in a single riding.”
“The adapted ballot will be a blank sheet where voters must write the first name (or initials) and last name of their chosen candidate, similar to a special ballot,” the agency said.
A full list of candidates will be available at polling stations for both advance voting and election day.
🏙️ Local Stories
Shots fired at a business in LaSalle
Shots were fired at a business in the LaSalle borough Tuesday night.
Montréal police (SPVM) were alerted around 2:30 a.m. after an employee discovered a bullet impact on the door of a business on Newman Boulevard, near Angrignon Boulevard.
After reviewing surveillance footage, officers confirmed the incident occurred around 12:30 a.m., when a suspect fired at the establishment. No 911 call was made at the time.
No arrests have been made.
Another business was targeted by gunfire Monday night in Côte‑des‑Neiges–Notre‑Dame‑de‑Grâce, but for now, there is no indication the two incidents are connected.
Complaint database part of SPVM’s anti‑racism plan
Police chief Fady Dagher says the force has new directives for officers that he believes will reduce instances of racial profiling, though he did not provide details.
Montréal Metropolitan Airport unveils new terminal opening in June
Montréal Metropolitan Airport says its new terminal will open in the coming months as it prepares to welcome commercial flights.
💛 Spotlight
The town of Coteau‑du‑Lac and its 7,800 residents are rallying together to support the family of Antoine Forest… a reminder that in a small community, “everyone knows someone who knows the family,” and solidarity never waits.
👋 Before You Go
That’s it for this Wednesday morning.
Between a language‑rights controversy underscoring the importance of Canada’s two official languages, the continued outpouring of support for the victims of the LaGuardia tragedy, and a few local safety concerns…
…you’re now up to date.
Take care of yourselves and your loved ones. Have a great day, Montréal. ☕