Michael Rousseau, the CEO of Air Canada, will retire later this year after facing backlash for failing to speak French in a condolence video following the recent fatal collision at LaGuardia Airport that resulted in the deaths of two pilots.
Rousseau has informed the company that he will step down by the end of the third quarter. The incident that led to this decision involved his English-only message of condolence, which drew criticism, especially since one of the deceased pilots, Antoine Forest, hailed from French-speaking Quebec.
In the wake of the criticism, Rousseau apologized, acknowledging his inability to express himself adequately in French, despite having taken lessons over the years. It has been my great honor to work with the dedicated and talented people of Air Canada, he stated while announcing his retirement. Rousseau also reflected on the importance of supporting the company during this transition period.
The airline praised Rousseau for his nearly two decades of strong and dedicated leadership. His English-only condolence message had been met with calls for resignation from various politicians, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, who condemned it as a lack of compassion.
Rousseau had faced similar criticism regarding his French proficiency shortly after being appointed as CEO in 2021, committing to improve his language skills amidst persistent scrutiny. Despite these efforts, the recent controversy ultimately led to his retirement announcement.
The plane crash at LaGuardia occurred when Air Canada flight collided with a fire truck shortly after landing, resulting in the tragic loss of pilots Antoine Forest and Mackenzie Gunther. Following the incident, Rousseau expressed his deepest sorrow for everyone affected and reiterated his commitment to addressing the bilingual requirements of the organization.
