Air Canada CEO to Retire by Q3 After 6% Pay Hike Sparks Quebec Uproar
Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau will retire by end of Q3 after a condolence video about the March 22 LaGuardia runway collision was delivered mostly in English, prompting 1,800 complaints and a unanimous 92-0 Quebec legislature motion. His compensation rose nearly 6% to C$13.1 million in 2025, intensifying criticism.
1. CEO Resignation
Michael Rousseau, 68, will step down as CEO by the end of the third quarter after his video response to the March 22 LaGuardia collision triggered widespread criticism over his limited use of French.
2. Runway Collision Details
An Air Canada Express flight from Montreal to New York collided with a fire truck upon landing, killing both pilots and injuring dozens of passengers, leading to the initial crisis.
3. Language and Political Fallout
Rousseau’s video included only a French greeting and closing, generating over 1,800 complaints to the federal language commissioner and a 92-0 motion in Quebec’s National Assembly demanding his resignation.
4. Compensation and Shareholder Pressure
Rousseau’s 2025 pay package jumped nearly 6% to C$13.1 million, prompting criticism from Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec and calls for his testimony before a parliamentary committee.