Michael Rousseau, CEO of Air Canada, has announced his decision to step down amid intense criticism over his predominantly English video statement following a tragic plane crash earlier this month. The statement was perceived as neglecting Montreal’s official language, French, sparking significant backlash.
Rousseau, who has been with Air Canada for nearly two decades and took on the role of CEO in 2021, informed the board of his decision to retire by the end of the third quarter of 2026. This announcement was made public in an Air Canada statement released on Monday.
Regarding whether Rousseau’s retirement is connected to the recent backlash, a spokesperson for Air Canada clarified that Rousseau is retiring upon reaching the natural age for retirement. They emphasized that his departure later this year aligns with the board’s strategic CEO succession planning.
The resignation comes after a wave of discontent in Quebec, where the provincial legislature passed a motion urging Rousseau to resign. The motion reflected the sentiment of many Francophones in the region, who found his choice to deliver the video statement primarily in English to be disrespectful.
In the four-minute video, Rousseau conveyed his “deepest sorrow for everyone affected” by the crash at LaGuardia Airport, which tragically resulted in the deaths of both pilots and injuries to 41 others. However, the only French words included were “bonjour” at the start and “merci” at the conclusion.
This incident escalated into a public relations crisis for Air Canada, which was already grappling with the fallout from the fatal accident. The airline faced thousands of complaints lodged with the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages in Canada, highlighting widespread dissatisfaction with Rousseau’s handling of the situation.
Canada’s national airline is based in Montreal, where the majority language is French, and it is also subject to the Official Languages Act, which requires businesses to provide equal services in English and French.
Many Canadians also pointed out that Antoine Forest, 30, one of the two pilots killed in the collision, grew up in Coteau-du-Lac – a city in southwestern Quebec where many residents speak French.
In a written statement released in both English and French, Rousseau said he was “deeply saddened” that his inability to speak French “diverted attention” away from the victims’ families and Air Canada staffers involved in the crash.
He admitted that his French skills are weak “despite many lessons over several years,” adding, “I sincerely apologize for this, but I am continuing my efforts to improve.”
In 2021, soon after he was appointed CEO, Rousseau stoked similar backlash when he gave a speech to a group of Montreal business leaders almost entirely in English.
During the speech, Rousseau said he took pride in the fact that he managed to live in Montreal for more than a decade without speaking French.
He later apologized and promised to take French lessons.
The fatal collision at LaGuardia Airport on March 22 took place during landing shortly before midnight, when an Air Canada passenger plane smashed into a rescue truck responding to a separate emergency.
It obliterated the front of the jet and forced the airport to close for most of the following day.
Both pilots were killed, including Mackenzie Gunther, 24, the first officer on the flight who grew up in a suburb in Ottawa, and Forest.
Audio caught an air traffic controller frantically trying to stop the crash, crying out, “Stop, stop, stop, stop!”
He was later heard saying: “I messed up.”
