Air Canada announced that Chief Executive Officer Michael Rousseau will step down from his position by the end of the third quarter, following backlash over his response to a fatal aircraft incident. The airline, Canada’s largest carrier, said Rousseau, 68, informed the board of his decision to retire.
Rousseau faced significant criticism after delivering a video message of condolence solely in English following this month’s crash at LaGuardia Airport in New York. The collision involved an Air Canada Jazz flight from Montreal and a fire truck on the runway, resulting in two fatalities. One of the deceased pilots was Antoine Forest, a French-speaking resident of Quebec. The Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages received hundreds of complaints regarding the English-only message.
Canadian officials emphasized the importance of bilingual leadership at the airline. Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that it is essential for the next CEO to speak both English and French. Quebec Premier François Legault noted that Rousseau had promised to learn French when appointed president in February 2021 but did not fulfill that commitment. Legault highlighted the significance of language as a key issue in the province and at Canada’s national carrier.
Rousseau’s tenure had been marked by previous criticism regarding his lack of French-language proficiency, despite leading an airline headquartered in Montreal in the officially bilingual nation. Language remains a politically sensitive topic in Quebec, which is approximately 80% French-speaking. Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon thanked Rousseau for his decision and indicated the government would continue working with Air Canada to ensure it provides bilingual service to all Canadians. Some observers noted the controversy highlighted broader tensions regarding leadership qualifications and language policy in Canada.
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