OTTAWA – Air Canada Chief Executive Michael Rousseau has issued a formal apology following a wave of public and political indignation over an English-only video message he released following a fatal plane crash at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. The controversy began when Rousseau posted a four-minute tribute to the victims that included only two French words: “Bonjour” and “Merci.” This was seen as a significant slight to the francophone community, particularly as the flight originated in Montreal and one of the pilots killed, Antoine Forest, was a French-speaking Quebecer.
In a statement released on Thursday, March 26, 2026, Rousseau expressed deep regret, stating he was “deeply saddened” that his linguistic limitations had diverted public attention away from the “profound grief of the families.” He admitted that despite years of lessons, he remains unable to express himself adequately in French. This admission has reignited a long-standing debate regarding his leadership of Canada’s largest airline, which is headquartered in Montreal and has a legal and moral obligation to represent both of the country’s official languages.
The backlash reached the highest levels of government, with Prime Minister Mark Carney describing the CEO’s actions as showing a “lack of judgment and a lack of compassion.” Quebec Premier François Legault went further, calling for Rousseau’s resignation and labeling the move a “gross lack of respect” for the victims and the province of Quebec. The House of Commons has since summoned Rousseau to testify before the official languages committee to explain the airline’s communication failure during such a sensitive crisis.
The underlying tragedy involved Air Canada Express Flight 8646, which collided with a fire truck on a LaGuardia runway late Sunday, March 22. The accident claimed the lives of both pilots, Captain Mackenzie Gunther and First Officer Antoine Forest, and left dozens of passengers injured. While the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) continues to investigate the cause of the collision, the airline now finds itself navigating a secondary crisis of public trust across French-speaking Canada.
