MICHEAL ROUSSEAU has announced that he will retire later this year, following backlash over a condolence message after a fatal incident involving Air Canada.
The airline confirmed that Rousseau plans to step down by the end of the third quarter. His decision comes after public criticism of a video message he delivered following a deadly collision at LaGuardia Airport.
The incident resulted in the deaths of two pilots, including Antoine Forest, who was from French-speaking Quebec, and Mackenzie Gunther.
Rousseau expressed condolences in English during the video, which led to strong reactions across Canada. Many critics argued that he should have spoken in French as well, given the country’s bilingual identity and the background of one of the victims.
Political leaders also responded. Mark Carney described the message as lacking compassion, while François Legault suggested Rousseau should reconsider his position if he could not communicate in French.
The video included subtitles in both English and French, but critics felt that was not enough. The controversy shifted focus away from the victims and their families, increasing pressure on the airline’s leadership.
Rousseau later issued an apology, acknowledging that his limited French skills caused concern. He said he regretted that the situation distracted from those affected by the tragedy. He also noted that he had taken language lessons over the years but still struggled to communicate effectively in French.
Despite the criticism, Air Canada thanked Rousseau for his leadership, highlighting his long service and contributions to the company over nearly two decades.
The airline now prepares for a leadership transition as it works to rebuild trust and move forward after both the tragic incident and the public backlash.
