The CEO of Air Canada, Michael Rousseau, is set to retire later this year amid backlash for delivering a condolence video solely in English following a tragic accident causing the deaths of two pilots at LaGuardia Airport.
In a statement released by Air Canada, Rousseau announced his decision to step down by the end of the company’s third quarter, citing nearly two decades of leadership within the organization. His retirement follows widespread criticism for failing to address the French-speaking audience through an appropriate message of condolence after a fatal incident in which one of the deceased pilots, Antoine Forest, was from Quebec.
Rousseau had previously defended his inability to communicate adequately in French, despite taking lessons over the years. Following the outrage over the English-only message, he apologized for diverting attention from the grieving families of the pilots and emphasized his commitment to improving his French language skills.
In response to the incident, which involved a collision between an Air Canada plane and a fire truck, Canadian politicians including Prime Minister Mark Carney and Quebec Premier François Legault criticized Rousseau’s actions, stating they reflected a lack of compassion for the victims and their families.
Despite the controversy surrounding his language abilities, Rousseau expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead Air Canada and support the company through its transitional phase as new leadership is sought.
Air Canada is subject to Canada’s Official Languages Act, necessitating bilingual communication in its operations.
