Michael Rousseau, the CEO of Air Canada, has announced that he will retire by the end of September 2023. This decision follows significant controversy surrounding his use of language in official communications, particularly after the tragic crash of Flight 8646.
The crash, which occurred on March 22, 2023, resulted in the deaths of two pilots. Rousseau’s subsequent message of condolence, which was delivered solely in English, drew widespread criticism for its lack of French language, leading to a total of 2,360 complaints received by the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages.
Rousseau, who has been with Air Canada for nearly two decades, expressed regret for his inability to speak French adequately, stating, “I am deeply saddened that my inability to speak French distracted from the mourning families’ grief.” His language skills have been a recurring issue since he took on the CEO role.
In light of the controversy, Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized the importance of bilingualism in the leadership of Air Canada, stating, “It is essential that the next CEO of Air Canada be bilingual.” Quebec Premier François Legault also called for Rousseau’s resignation, highlighting the need for the company to reflect Canada’s official languages at the highest levels.
Rousseau will continue to lead Air Canada until the end of the third quarter, with an Air Canada spokesperson noting, “Mr. Rousseau has reached a natural retirement age.” His retirement was described as appropriate by Prime Minister Carney, indicating a shift in expectations for the airline’s leadership.
The criticism surrounding Rousseau’s previous speech in 2021, which was also delivered in English, further underscores the ongoing challenges he faced regarding language use in a bilingual country.
As Air Canada prepares for this leadership transition, the focus will likely be on finding a successor who can navigate the complexities of operating in both English and French, ensuring that the company aligns with Canada’s linguistic diversity.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the timeline for selecting Rousseau’s successor and how the company plans to address the issues raised during his tenure.
