Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau announced his retirement Monday after facing intense criticism for delivering condolences in English only following last week's fatal collision at LaGuardia Airport that killed two pilots.
Rousseau will step down by the end of the third quarter in 2026, the airline confirmed. The 68-year-old executive had led Canada's largest carrier for nearly two decades but found himself at the center of a national controversy over language rights.
The backlash began after Rousseau posted a four-minute condolence video speaking only two French words — "bonjour" and "merci" — while addressing the deaths of pilots Antoine Forest and Mackenzie Gunther. The Air Canada Jazz flight had collided with a fire truck on the runway after landing, killing both crew members who were praised for actions that saved passengers' lives.
I am extremely disappointed by Rousseau's unilingual message, which showed a lack of compassion towards the victims of the crash
Mark Carney, Prime Minister — The Guardian
The controversy struck particularly deep because Forest, the 30-year-old pilot, was francophone from Quebec, as were several passengers aboard the flight. Air Canada operates from Montreal headquarters in Quebec, where French serves as the official language.
The BBC frames this as a straightforward corporate leadership change following legitimate criticism. The outlet emphasizes the regulatory and policy context of Canada's bilingual requirements without taking sides on the controversy.