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Air Canada CEO announces retirement after language criticism
Michael Rousseau will step down by the end of the third quarter following backlash over his English-only condolence video after a fatal airport collision killed two pilots, one from French-speaking Quebec.
Timeline of the controversy
Last week, an Air Canada aircraft collided with a fire truck at New York's LaGuardia Airport shortly after landing, resulting in the deaths of pilots Antoine Forest, a Quebec native, and Mackenzie Gunther. Rousseau released a condolence video on X, expressing sympathy in English with French subtitles.
(10:15 ET) The video drew immediate criticism for excluding French, one of Canada's official languages. Politicians, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, called the omission a "lack of compassion," while Quebec Premier François Legault suggested Rousseau should resign if he couldn't speak French.
Rousseau's response and apology
Summoned to Ottawa by the parliamentary committee on Official Languages, Rousseau issued a written apology in both English and French. He acknowledged his limited French proficiency had "diverted attention" from the grieving families and Air Canada employees.
"I sincerely apologise for this, but I am continuing my efforts to improve."
Michael Rousseau, Air Canada CEO
Rousseau, an anglophone residing in Montreal, had previously faced scrutiny for his French skills after his 2021 appointment as CEO. At the time, he pledged to improve his language abilities.
Air Canada's statement on retirement
In a Monday announcement, Air Canada described Rousseau's departure as a retirement after "nearly two decades of strong and dedicated leadership." The airline, headquartered in Montreal, is governed by Canada's Official Languages Act, which mandates bilingual communications, including in-flight announcements.
Rousseau will remain in his role through the transition period, supporting the company until the end of the third quarter.
"It has been my great honour to work with the dedicated and talented people of Air Canada and to represent our outstanding organisation."
Michael Rousseau
Broader implications
The incident reignited debates over bilingualism in Canada, particularly in leadership roles within federally regulated industries. Rousseau's case highlights the ongoing challenges of balancing language requirements with corporate governance.
