It was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $1,500, for the study of the use of French in government communications and in federal institutions, be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $1,500, for the study of the quota of French-language music imposed on French-language radio media, be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $2,000, for the study of Official Languages (advancement of equality of status and use of English and French) regulations, be adopted.

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(f), the committee undertake a study of the draft regulations on the use of French in federally regulated private businesses.

It was agreed, — That, with regards to the study on the draft regulations on the use of French in federally regulated private businesses, members of the committee submit their witness lists to the clerk no later than Thursday, April 30, 2026.

It was agreed, — That the committee invite representative of the department of Canadian Heritage as well as the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadiennes du Canada to appear on the study of the draft regulations on the use of French in federally regulated private businesses.

The committee resumed consideration of a draft report.

At 5:08 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 5:15 p.m., the meeting resumed in public.

Joël Godin moved, —

That, whereas the President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada, Michael Rousseau, has appeared on several occasions before the Standing Committee on Official Languages without demonstrating significant progress in fulfilling his commitments to improve his ability to communicate in French; and,

Whereas he has recently announced his upcoming retirement, rendering any future appearance of limited value to the committee’s work;

The committee:

1. Cancel its invitation to the current President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada;
2. Invite the next President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada to appear before the Standing Committee on Official Languages, pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(f); and,
3. Request that this appearance take place no later than two (2) months following their appointment, in order to allow the committee to assess the new leadership’s commitments regarding compliance with official languages obligations.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That, whereas the President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada, Michael Rousseau, has appeared on several occasions before the Standing Committee on Official Languages without demonstrating significant progress in fulfilling his commitments to improve his ability to communicate in French; and,

Whereas he has recently announced his upcoming retirement, rendering any future appearance of limited value to the committee’s work;

The committee:

1. Cancel its invitation to the current President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada;
2. Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(f), the Standing Committee on Official Languages invite the Chair of the Board of Directors of Air Canada to appear before the committee for a period of one hour to explain the organization’s priorities with respect to both official languages in the recruitment of the future President and Chief Executive Officer, as well as in the organization’s broader priorities, no later than May 29, 2026;
3. Invite the next President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada to appear before the Standing Committee on Official Languages, pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(f); and,
4. Request that this appearance take place no later than two (2) months following their appointment, in order to allow the committee to assess the new leadership’s commitments regarding compliance with official languages obligations.

On motion of Joël Godin, it was agreed, — That the Standing Committee on Official Languages send a letter of congratulations to Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen in recognition of his historic participation in the Artemis II mission, including his use of the French language aboard the mission, the furthest French has ever been spoken from planet Earth, and that the committee recognize this outstanding achievement and its significance for the promotion of the French language, one of the two official languages of our country, Canada.