Key facts
- Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau will retire by the end of the third quarter of 2026.
- Rousseau faced backlash for releasing a condolence video in English only after a fatal crash.
- Canada's Official Languages Act requires Air Canada to provide services in both English and French.
- Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that Rousseau's successor must be bilingual.
- Candidates for the CEO position will be evaluated in part on their French language proficiency.
Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau is set to retire by the end of the third quarter of 2026, following significant backlash over his failure to deliver a condolence message in French after a fatal crash at New York's LaGuardia Airport. The airline confirmed the accelerated succession plan on Monday, stating that candidates for Rousseau's replacement will be assessed, in part, on their ability to speak French.
Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the decision, emphasizing the critical need for bilingualism in the role, especially given the sensitivity of language issues in Quebec. Rousseau, who took over as CEO in February 2021, had previously apologized for his lack of French fluency in 2021 after a speech entirely in English. While acknowledged for his technical contributions to Air Canada's post-pandemic recovery, his leadership has been questioned due to broader responsibilities, including public communication following aviation incidents.
The incident involving the Air Canada Express jet, which collided with a fire truck and resulted in the deaths of two pilots, Antoine Forest and Mackenzie Gunther, intensified scrutiny on Rousseau's linguistic abilities. Air Canada, as a publicly traded company, is legally obligated under the Official Languages Act to provide services in both English and French. The controversy led to a non-binding motion in Quebec's National Assembly calling for Rousseau's resignation and a summons to explain himself before the Canadian government's Official Languages Committee, which reportedly received nearly 800 complaints.