The Digester
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Air Canada CEO to retire after English-only condolence backlash

Michael Rousseau will step down by the end of Q3 after criticism over an English-only condolence message for two pilots killed in a LaGuardia collision sparked political rebuke and hundreds of language complaints in Canada.

Mar 30th 2026 · Canada

Insights

  • Air Canada said CEO Michael Rousseau will retire by the end of the third quarter.
  • The backlash followed Rousseau's English-only condolence video, with French subtitles, after a LaGuardia Airport collision that killed two pilots, one of whom was a French-speaking Quebecer.
  • Quebec Premier Francois Legault publicly called for Rousseau's resignation and the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages received hundreds of complaints.
  • Rousseau issued an apology, saying his limited French had diverted attention from the victims' families and that he is working to improve.
  • Air Canada board chair Vagn Sorenson thanked Rousseau for his years of service and said the company will support an orderly transition.

Sources