Air Canada CEO to Retire After 92-0 Quebec Motion and 1,800 Complaints
Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau, 68, will retire by the end of Q3 after posting an English condolence video with only French subtitles following a LaGuardia runway collision that killed two pilots. Quebec’s National Assembly voted 92-0 for his resignation and the federal languages office received over 1,800 complaints.
1. Leadership Change
Michael Rousseau, who became CEO in 2021, announced he will retire by the end of the third quarter following intense pressure over his handling of the LaGuardia accident statement. His 2025 compensation rose nearly 6% to C$13.1 million, a detail highlighted in the upcoming management proxy circular.
2. Bilingual Service Fallout
After a March 22 runway collision killed two pilots, Rousseau’s video statement featured only French subtitles around an English message, triggering widespread criticism from Quebec’s Francophone community. Over 1,800 complaints were filed with the federal Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages regarding the lapse in official-language service.
3. Political and Regulatory Response
Quebec’s National Assembly unanimously passed a motion demanding Rousseau’s resignation, and Canada’s Prime Minister publicly condemned the video as lacking compassion. A major shareholder, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, criticized the bilingual oversight and Parliament has called Rousseau to testify before a committee, parts of which would be conducted in French.