Michael Rousseau, the CEO of Air Canada, will retire later this year after facing significant criticism for his failure to deliver a condolence video in French, following a tragic accident at LaGuardia Airport that claimed the lives of two of the airline's pilots.
In a statement released by Air Canada on Monday, Rousseau confirmed that he would step down by the end of the company's third quarter. His English-only message of condolences sparked outrage as one of the deceased pilots, Antoine Forest, was from the French-speaking region of Quebec.
Rousseau later expressed remorse over the incident, stating he was unable to convey his feelings adequately in French, even after years of lessons. His retirement announcement was accompanied by reflections on his time at the company, where he acknowledged the dedication and talent of Air Canada's staff.
Air Canada's statement highlighted Rousseau's nearly two decades of service, pointing to his leadership during challenging periods for the airline. However, the backlash was intensified by comments from political figures, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, who criticized the video for its insensitivity and lack of compassion for the pilots' families.
The fallout raised important discussions about the expectations of language skills within Canadian corporations, particularly those operating in regions with bilingual populations. Rousseau, who resides in Montreal but has faced scrutiny for his French language proficiency since his appointment in 2021, stated that his struggles with the language diverted attention from the grieving families of the deceased pilots.
Despite the controversy surrounding his leadership, CEO Michael Rousseau affirmed his commitment to support Air Canada through this transitional phase as the company seeks to regain public confidence.
