After deadly crash and French-language backlash, Michael Rousseau sets exit date
Air Canada president and CEO Michael Rousseau will step down by the end of the third quarter of 2026, a move that comes just days after a fatal runway collision at New York’s LaGuardia Airport and backlash over his English‑only video message of condolence.
In a statement released this morning, Air Canada’s board said Rousseau had informed directors he would retire. This comes “after nearly two decades of strong and dedicated leadership that has reinforced Air Canada’s place as a leader in the airline industry domestically and globally,” said the airline.
The board noted that Rousseau will continue to lead the company and serve on its board until that time while a global search for his successor is underway, and that he has agreed to remain available “to ensure a seamless and smooth transition.”
Backlash over English‑only condolence
Rousseau is facing intense political and public scrutiny over his handling of the LaGuardia disaster and Air Canada’s obligations under the Official Languages Act.
The deadly incident saw Air Canada Express Flight 8646 strike a fire truck on the runway, killing the two Canadian pilots and injuring more than 40 people. One of the pilots, Antoine Forest, was a francophone Quebecer from Coteau‑du‑Lac.
In the days after the crash, Rousseau recorded a four‑minute video message addressing families and staff. But the video was delivered almost entirely in English, “aside from saying ‘bonjour’ at the start and ‘merci’ at the end,” with French subtitles added.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was “very disappointed” by Rousseau’s response and accused the airline of a “lack of compassion” toward victims’ families and staff.
The House of Commons Official Languages Committee has since summoned Rousseau to explain his choice to speak in English only, while the Commissioner of Official Languages has logged dozens of complaints about the video.
Air Canada, for its part, has defended the CEO’s decision, saying in a statement quoted by CBC that, “despite his efforts, his ability to speak French does not allow him to convey such a sensitive message as effectively as he would have liked in that language,” and that subtitles were used “to ensure everyone can receive his message directly.”
Succession planning at Air Canada
The company framed Rousseau’s resignation as the culmination of long‑standing succession planning.
“The board has had a longstanding focus on CEO succession planning. Consistent with this priority, work has been underway for more than two years on a comprehensive internal development program for high potential executives.
“An external global search was also commenced in January 2026 to identify potential additional candidates with the skills, and experience to lead Canada’s national airline.”
The board said it is being assisted in the CEO search by consulting firms Egon Zehnder and Korn Ferry.
Rousseau, for his part, called it “my great honour to work with the dedicated and talented people of Air Canada and to represent our outstanding organization” and said he looks “forward to supporting our company during this important transition period.”
Rousseau: Long‑time finance leader
Rousseau’s departure caps nearly two decades at Air Canada, largely in senior finance roles, according to his LinkedIn profile. He joined the airline in 2007 as executive vice‑president and chief financial officer, a position he held for 12 years, before being promoted to deputy chief executive officer and CFO in 2019 and then to president and CEO in 2021.
Before Air Canada, he served as president of Hudson’s Bay from 2006 to 2007 after five years as its executive vice‑president and CFO.
Questions about Rousseau’s French‑language abilities pre‑date the LaGuardia crash controversy. Four years ago, he was called to Ottawa after giving a speech in Montreal almost entirely in English and remarking he did not need French to live in the city.
“I admit that I made a mistake by not learning to speak French when I joined Air Canada and I am correcting that mistake at this point,” he told MPs in 2022.
