Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau announced his retirement on Monday, following a controversy over his use of English in a video addressing the fatal plane crash in New York. The crash, involving an Air Canada Jazz flight, claimed the lives of two pilots, including one from Quebec. Rousseau's video message, which contained only a brief "bonjour" and "merci" in French, drew heavy criticism, especially from Quebec officials and the public.
Prime Minister Mark Carney called the video "a lack of compassion and judgment," emphasizing the importance of bilingualism for national companies like Air Canada. Quebec Premier François Legault was among those who called for Rousseau's resignation. The backlash underscores the sensitivity surrounding language issues in Canada, particularly in Quebec, where French is central to the province's cultural identity.
Rousseau's limited French proficiency had been a point of contention since he assumed the CEO role in 2021. He previously apologized for delivering a business speech predominantly in English. The Official Languages Commissioner's office reportedly received hundreds of complaints regarding the English-only video.
Rousseau will remain in his position until the end of the third quarter, according to Air Canada. The company stated that succession planning has been underway for over two years. The incident highlights the challenges for national leaders to navigate Canada's linguistic duality.
