Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau Will Resign

USPA NEWS - Air Canada's CEO, Michael Rousseau, is embroiled in controversy after admitting that he remains non-fluent in French, sparking over 1,500 complaints. The fallout intensified when he delivered a condolence message solely in English after a tragic incident involving two pilots. Leaders in Quebec are decrying this as an affront to French culture, with escalating demands for his resignation.

The unilingual video was deemed disrespectful by leaders including Prime Minister Mark Carney and Quebec Premier François Legault, resulting in thousands of complaints being lodged with Canada's official languages commissioner.

Air Canada has formally announced that President and CEO Michael Rousseau will be retiring by the end of Q3 2026, marking the conclusion of nearly two decades with the airline.

Rousseau, having joined Air Canada approximately twenty years ago, progressed through the ranks from Chief Financial Officer to Deputy CEO prior to taking on the top role in 2021. Throughout his leadership, he steered the airline through major global challenges, including the 2007–2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the announcement comes amid growing controversy. Just days earlier, the Quebec National Assembly passed a unanimous 92–0 motion calling for his resignation following backlash over his response to the tragic crash at LaGuardia Airport on March 22, which resulted in the loss of two Air Canada Express pilots.