Air Canada Suspends Senior Flight Attendant Over Antisemitic Posts

Air Canada has suspended a senior flight service manager following allegations of antisemitic posts and calls for violence shared on social media. The airline confirmed the suspension and stated that a full investigation into the matter is underway.

The suspended employee, identified as Blair Boudreau, has held the position of flight service manager since July 1998, overseeing cabin crew and passenger service. Screenshots attributed to Boudreau's social media accounts, circulated online, reportedly contain numerous antisemitic statements and conspiracy theories. These include claims that Jews control banks and media, are obsessed with money, and that those wearing yarmulkes bear "the mark of the beast." Some posts also allegedly suggested the Mossad was behind the September 11th attacks and the October 7th massacre.

Further alleged posts included a call to "run over them," reportedly referring to Israelis, and a statement that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "should be publicly hanged and his body burned to ensure he is dead." The allegations were first reported by DansDeals, which contacted Air Canada for a response.

A spokesperson for Air Canada stated, "Air Canada condemns hate speech and the promotion of violence of any kind. The individual has been removed from service, and a full investigation is underway. We have no further comment at this time." This incident follows a previous case where Air Canada suspended and later fired a Boeing 787 pilot for anti-Israel posts.

The suspension comes just a day after Air Canada announced it would expedite its return to Israel, resuming flights to Ben Gurion Airport on November 30th, earlier than the previously scheduled January 17th. The airline plans to operate four weekly flights during the winter season.