Board of Directors | CN finally found a French-speaking candidate

Julien Arsenault
Press

Canadian National Railway Company, incorporated at Montreal and subject to Official Languages ​​Act, confirmed the appointment, Thursday, early evening. The country’s largest rail carrier defended Mr Letellier’s induction by praising his skills in “sustainable development”.

1 will join the existing 11 directors of the company^er October.

“I doubt that the meetings will be held in French, but at least he will be the representative of the language,” insisted Francois Dauphin, Director General of the Institute of Private and Public Organizations (IGOPP). At least CN will keep its word. »

If the CN board goes up, the situation may be temporary, the carrier suggested.

“This appointment allows for a planned transition in anticipation of retirements,” the company said in an emailed statement.

Well alone

Mr. Letellier is the only fully bilingual board member. CN President and CEO Tracy Robinson is still learning the language. CN claims three other operators – Justin Howell, Susan Jones and Kevin Lynch – have a partial command of Moliere’s language.

Recruited last January, former Quebec premier Jean Charest quickly resigned two months later to run for the leadership of Canada’s Conservative Party. CN did not see fit to replace him with a French-speaking administrator.

when Press After revealing the situation last April, the rail carrier was heavily criticized. One of CN’s main shareholders, the Caisse Depot et Placement du Quebec – departed from its normal reserve to describe the situation as “unacceptable”.

Mr. Dauphin Mr. The length of the recruitment process for Letellier was considered reasonable. However, the expert adds a caveat.

“They should have been looking for someone who spoke French when Jean Charest left,” he said. Under the circumstances, this is acceptable. Someone else is willing to sit down. »

In a statement, CN board chair Shaneen Bruder called Mr. Letellier an “extraordinary addition” to the board of directors.

“His extensive business and strategic experience, sustainability leadership and entrepreneurial track record, combined with his financial acumen and business achievements, make him an outstanding addition to the board,” she said.

The General Manager of IGOPP agrees to this. At a time when ESG (environmental, social and governance) standards are increasingly taking place in the management of companies, the CN recruit brings “complementary skills”, Mr Dauphin said.

According to CN’s most recent proxy statement, of the current board of directors, only three members have ESG expertise.