Air Canada CEO Resigns Amidst Backlash Over Language Controversy

Mon Mar 30 2026 17:44:57 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Michael Rousseau, the CEO of Air Canada, will retire following criticism for delivering only an English condolence message after a tragic plane accident that claimed the lives of two pilots.

Air Canada has announced the resignation of CEO Michael Rousseau, who faced significant backlash for issuing an English-only condolence video after a fatal plane crash at LaGuardia Airport. Critics, including Canadian politicians, expressed disappointment over his linguistic shortcomings, particularly given that one of the deceased pilots hailed from French-speaking Quebec. Rousseau had previously acknowledged his inadequacies in speaking French and will step down at the end of the third quarter this year.

The CEO of Air Canada will retire later this year, after being criticised for failing to speak French in a condolence video following last week's fatal collision at LaGuardia Airport that killed two of the airline's pilots.

Michael Rousseau informed the airline that he will be stepping down by the end of the company's third quarter, Air Canada said in a statement on Monday.

Rousseau had faced calls to resign after delivering his condolences in English only. One of the pilots who died, Antoine Forest, was from French-speaking Quebec.

He later apologised and stated he was unable to express himself adequately in French - an official language in Canada - despite taking lessons over the years.

Announcing his retirement, Rousseau expressed, It has been my great honour to work with the dedicated and talented people of Air Canada and to represent our outstanding organisation. I look forward to supporting our company during this important transition period.

In the same statement, Air Canada said Rousseau was stepping down after nearly two decades of strong and dedicated leadership with the airline, which is headquartered in Montreal.

Rousseau's English-only condolence video was criticised by Canadian politicians, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, who said it showed a lack of compassion. Quebec Premier François Legault stated he believed Rousseau should resign if he was unable to speak French.

The condolence video was released after an Air Canada plane collided with a fire truck at LaGuardia airport in New York shortly after landing, killing Forest and another pilot, Mackenzie Gunther. Rousseau expressed deepest sorrow for everyone affected in the video, which posted on X included both English and French subtitles, but faced backlash for failing to speak French himself.

After the backlash, Rousseau apologised in a statement released in both languages, explaining his disappointment that his language skills drew attention away from the grieving families and Air Canada staff. He noted that his French remains weak despite many lessons over the years.

Rousseau, who lives in Montreal but is an anglophone, has been under scrutiny for his French language skills since his appointment as CEO in 2021. During that time, he also committed to improving his French proficiency.

Air Canada continues to operate within the framework of Canada's Official Languages Act, ensuring announcements on board flights are in both English and French.