Air Canada CEO To Step Down After Facing Flak Over English-Only Condolence Message Following NY Deadly Crash

Last Updated:March 31, 2026, 18:02 IST

Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau will retire after backlash over an 'English-only' condolence message on a fatal New York crash, leaders demand a bilingual successor

Air Canada has announced that its CEO Michael Rousseau will retire later this year days after he was slammed for his English-only message of condolence following this month’s deadly crash in New York.

Last week, an Air Canada Express flight collided with a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport in New York killing both pilots and injuring several others. Antoine Forest, one of the two pilots, was a French-speaking Quebecer.

Following the incident, Rousseau delivered his condolence video message in English, with French subtitles. He was later criticised for not releasing a video in French. According to CNN, the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages has received hundreds of complaints about it.

Also Read: ‘Stop, Stop..I Messed Up’: Video Captures Moment When Air Canada Jet Crashed Into Fire Truck At NY Airport

Canada is an officially bilingual nation. Language has remained a sensitive issue in mostly French-speaking Quebec, the country’s second-most-populous province.

On Monday, the Canada’s largest airline, based in French-speaking Quebec, said that Rousseau has informed the board that he will leave by the end of the third quarter.

Lauding the move, Prime Minister Mark Carney said: “It is absolutely essential that his successor is ​completely bilingual. He did a good job technically as CEO ​but as the leader of an organization you have broader responsibilities. It’s the right decision at the right time."

“It is essential that the next CEO of Air Canada is bilingual," he added.

Last week, he had slammed Rousseau for showing a lack of judgement by releasing only an English video. Later, Rousseau issued an apology for the lapse.

“I salute the decision of Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau to step down from his position. The Air Canada board of directors will have to ensure that the next CEO speaks French," Quebec Premier François Legault said in a statement.

News world Air Canada CEO To Step Down After Facing Flak Over English-Only Condolence Message Following NY Deadly Crash

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