IN THE MATTER OF MICHEL THIBODEAU et al v. AIR CANADA et al
Summary: This is an application for a remedy made under subsection 77(1) of the
Official Languages Act, in which the applicants allege that the respondent failed to
provide them with services in French during certain flights for which it was required to
offer services in both official languages. Upon review, the Court concludes that the
respondent has not met its linguistic obligations under the Act. The Court orders the
respondent to pay the applicants $12,000 in damages and send them an apology, to make
every reasonable effort to fulfill its duties under the Act, and to introduce a system which
identifies, documents and quantifies potential violations of its linguistic obligations. The
Court, however, recognized that the respondent was in good faith and made considerable
efforts to respect its linguistic obligations. The Court refused to order the respondent to
pay punitive and exemplary damages.
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Andrew Baumberg
Media Contact / Liaison avec les Médias
Federal Court / Cour fédérale
Tel. / Tél. : (613) 947-3177
