Brands
Air Canada ceo to quit over “English-only” message after New York plane crash
English-only condolence video after fatal LaGuardia crash triggers outrage in Quebec and hastens succession
MONTREAL: Air Canada’s boss is heading for the exit after a linguistic misstep collided with a national faultline.
Michael Rousseau will retire by October, the airline said on Monday, days after a backlash over his English-only video tribute following a deadly crash involving an Air Canada Express jet in New York. The March 22 collision with a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport killed two pilots and injured dozens, but Rousseau’s message, bookended only by “bonjour” and “merci”, ignited fury in French-speaking Quebec.
Mark Carney welcomed the departure, calling the video a “lack of judgment and lack of compassion”. “It is absolutely essential that his successor is completely bilingual,” he said in Toronto. “He did a good job technically as CEO but as the leader of an organisation you have broader responsibilities. It’s the right decision at the right time.”
The row quickly metastasised. Quebec’s National Assembly voted 92–0 for Rousseau to quit. More than 1,800 complaints flooded the federal languages watchdog. Even Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, a major shareholder, weighed in. “There is no doubt that the video should have been in both official languages.”
The symbolism cut deep. One of the dead pilots, Antoine Forest, was from Quebec. Language, long a live wire in the province, remains entwined with identity and politics, fuelling the separatist Parti Québécois ahead of an election due by October.
Rousseau, 68, had form. In 2021, soon after taking charge, he drew fire for delivering a Montreal speech largely in English and boasting he had lived there for years without speaking French. He apologised then and again last week, saying he was “deeply saddened” his limitations had “diverted attention from the profound grief of the families and the great resilience of Air Canada’s employees.” He had logged more than 300 hours of French lessons since taking the helm in February 2021.
Operationally, his tenure was steadier. He steered Air Canada through the pandemic and its messy aftermath, though labour tensions, most notably a four-day cabin crew strike, dogged the recovery. Shares slipped more than 2 per cent after the news before trimming losses to about 1.2 per cent on the Toronto exchange.
The airline, bound by the Official Languages Act to serve customers in both English and French, said it is accelerating a succession plan already under way, with candidates to be judged in part on their French. Analysts say the next chief must pair operational discipline with strategic clarity amid fuel volatility, labour costs and fierce competition.
A dual crisis—metal on tarmac in New York and politics at home—has now claimed its most senior scalp. In Canada’s flag carrier, competence got Rousseau far. In the end, fluency finished the job.
Brands
Centrum taps into daily fatigue with new Har Din Ko Kar Recharge campaign
New film highlights how a quick nutrient boost can turn everyday tiredness into energy
MUMBAI: In a bid to connect with India’s always-on lifestyle, Centrum has rolled out a new campaign titled ‘Har Din Ko Kar Recharge’, spotlighting the everyday struggle with fatigue and the need for simple, accessible wellness solutions.
The campaign, launched by Haleon, promotes Centrum Recharge, an effervescent energy drink mix designed to replenish essential micronutrients lost during daily activity. Priced at Rs 10 per sachet, the product combines Vitamin C, Vitamin B12, Magnesium, and Zinc to support energy, hydration, and immunity in a convenient format.
At the heart of the campaign is a light-hearted film that brings a relatable slice of life to the screen. It follows a tired young man who is unexpectedly challenged to a street game by a child. Initially reluctant, he turns to a Centrum Recharge sachet, after which his energy visibly returns, allowing him to join in with enthusiasm. The narrative neatly ties into the brand’s core message that small nutritional boosts can make a big difference in daily vitality.
Speaking on the launch, Haleon ISC head wellness & OTC Deepali Agarwal said the campaign aims to bring attention back to everyday energy and participation. She highlighted that modern routines often leave people feeling drained, and solutions like Centrum Recharge can help bridge nutritional gaps while encouraging a more active lifestyle.
The brand is also positioning the product as part of a larger push to democratise multivitamin consumption in India, especially at a time when micronutrient deficiencies remain widespread. With variants for both kids and adults and availability across retail, pharmacies, and quick commerce platforms, the company is betting on accessibility as a key growth driver.
The campaign will be amplified across digital and television platforms nationwide, supported by on-ground activations, sampling initiatives, and e-commerce visibility. As Centrum leans into the everyday energy conversation, its latest push makes a clear pitch. Staying energised, it suggests, might just be as simple as hitting refresh on your daily routine.
