Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau has announced he will retire later this year following strong criticism over his response to a deadly plane crash in New York.
The incident occurred at LaGuardia Airport in March 2026, when an Air Canada Express aircraft collided with a fire truck on the runway. The crash killed two pilots and left several others injured, drawing international attention.
Soon after the accident, Rousseau released a video message expressing sympathy for the victims and their families. However, the message was delivered almost entirely in English, with little use of French. This triggered backlash, especially in Quebec, where French is the dominant language.
Many critics said the CEO failed to respect Canada’s bilingual identity during a sensitive moment. Political leaders also joined the criticism, arguing that a national airline must communicate equally in both official languages. The issue quickly became a broader debate about language, identity, and leadership responsibility in Canada.
Rousseau later issued an apology, admitting that his limited French had taken attention away from the seriousness of the tragedy. Despite the apology, pressure continued to build from both the public and political circles, with calls for his resignation.
Air Canada confirmed that Rousseau, 68, will step down by the end of the third quarter of 2026. The company stated that the decision is part of a transition plan, and a global search is underway for his successor. Reports suggest that being fluent in both English and French will be an important requirement for the next CEO.
The controversy also brought renewed attention to Rousseau’s past comments about not learning French despite living in Montreal for many years. Critics say this further added to public dissatisfaction.
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