TORONTO – Air Canada has officially announced that its President and CEO, Michael Rousseau, will step down from his position by the third quarter of 2026. While the airline frames the move as a retirement after nearly two decades of service, the announcement follows a wave of intense political and public backlash regarding Rousseau’s inability to communicate fluently in French, one of Canada’s official languages.
The latest controversy erupted following a tragic accident at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, where an Air Canada aircraft collided with a fire truck, resulting in the deaths of two pilots. Rousseau’s subsequent video message of condolence was delivered almost entirely in English, which sparked immediate outrage. Critics, including Prime Minister Mark Carney and Quebec Premier François Legault, condemned the CEO for failing to address the families and the public in French, especially given that the airline is a bilingual institution headquartered in Montreal.
This is not the first time Rousseau has faced scrutiny over his language skills. A similar incident occurred years prior when he delivered a major speech in Montreal primarily in English. Despite the backlash at that time and his subsequent promises to learn the language, his recent English-only address led to renewed demands for his resignation from high-ranking officials who argued that his leadership was out of step with Canada’s linguistic identity.
Despite the controversy, Air Canada Board Chair Vagn Sørensen praised Rousseau’s long-standing contributions to the company. Sørensen highlighted Rousseau’s leadership in navigating the airline through the 2007-08 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. He also noted Rousseau’s “instrumental role” in the successful acquisition of Aeroplan and in securing the company’s pension plans, maintaining that his operational track record remained strong throughout his tenure.
The search for a successor officially began in January 2026, involving both an internal executive development program and a global search for external candidates. The board has indicated that the transition will be gradual, with Rousseau remaining in his role until a new leader is appointed to ensure stability. It is widely expected that the ability to communicate fluently in both English and French will be a non-negotiable requirement for the next CEO.
