Michael Rousseau, the CEO of Air Canada, announced his retirement after criticism for failing to speak French in a condolence video following a fatal collision at LaGuardia Airport that claimed the lives of two of the airline's pilots.
Rousseau informed Air Canada that he would resign by the end of the company's third quarter, as reported in a statement released recently. The backlash stemmed from his English-only message of condolences, which many perceived as disrespectful, especially given that one of the deceased pilots, Antoine Forest, was from the French-speaking region of Quebec.
In a subsequent apology, Rousseau admitted he couldn’t express himself "adequately" in French despite having taken lessons over the years. He stated, "It has been my great honour to work with the dedicated and talented people of Air Canada and to represent our outstanding organization," as he looks forward to aiding the company during this important transitional phase.
The incident highlighted ongoing tensions surrounding language in Canada, where French is an official language. Canadian politicians criticized Rousseau's video, with Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasizing a lack of compassion.
Air Canada recognized Rousseau for nearly two decades of service and leadership, adding that he faced scrutiny regarding his French abilities since becoming CEO in 2021. He had previously committed to enhancing his French language skills.
Rousseau's retirement comes at a challenging time for the airline, as they also navigate the aftermath of the tragic accident that led to the loss of two pilots, whom he expressed his deep sorrow for in a video that featured English and French subtitles.
Rousseau informed Air Canada that he would resign by the end of the company's third quarter, as reported in a statement released recently. The backlash stemmed from his English-only message of condolences, which many perceived as disrespectful, especially given that one of the deceased pilots, Antoine Forest, was from the French-speaking region of Quebec.
In a subsequent apology, Rousseau admitted he couldn’t express himself "adequately" in French despite having taken lessons over the years. He stated, "It has been my great honour to work with the dedicated and talented people of Air Canada and to represent our outstanding organization," as he looks forward to aiding the company during this important transitional phase.
The incident highlighted ongoing tensions surrounding language in Canada, where French is an official language. Canadian politicians criticized Rousseau's video, with Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasizing a lack of compassion.
Air Canada recognized Rousseau for nearly two decades of service and leadership, adding that he faced scrutiny regarding his French abilities since becoming CEO in 2021. He had previously committed to enhancing his French language skills.
Rousseau's retirement comes at a challenging time for the airline, as they also navigate the aftermath of the tragic accident that led to the loss of two pilots, whom he expressed his deep sorrow for in a video that featured English and French subtitles.
