The resignation of Air Canada’s long-time boss, Michael Rousseau, stems from a deadly runway collision at New York’s LaGuardia Airport and his subsequent English-only tribute to the victims, which offended many in French-speaking Canada.
On 25 March 2026, Flight AC1271, a Bombardier CRJ900 jet, skidded off the runway moments after landing and slammed into a fire truck conducting routine checks. The impact killed two pilots—Antoine Forest, 42, from Quebec, and Mackenzie Gunther, 35, from Ontario—but spared passengers and ground crew. Preliminary U.S. National Transportation Safety Board findings point to possible procedural lapses, with full investigations underway.
Air Canada revealed on Monday that Rousseau, who has steered the Montreal-based carrier for nearly two decades since his 2021 appointment as CEO, will depart by the end of September. The airline, originally a Crown corporation from 1937 and privatised in 1989, hailed his dedicated leadership.
Trouble erupted with Rousseau’s X video, subtitled in both official languages yet spoken solely in English, where he shared his deepest sorrow for everyone affected. Critics, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, decried it as compassionless.
Quebec Premier François Legault demanded his ousting if French eluded him, later praising the move on X by insisting the next CEO should speak French as a matter of respect for the employees, francophone customers, and all Quebecers.
Bound by Canada’s Official Languages Act, Air Canada mandates bilingual flight announcements and communications. As a Montreal anglophone, Rousseau had faced prior heat over his French in 2021, vowing then to improve.
He later issued a bilingual apology, regretting how his weak skills—despite many lessons over the years—overshadowed the pilots’ grieving families and colleagues. “I sincerely apologise for this, but I am continuing my efforts to improve,” he said.
Ottawa’s Official Languages Committee summoned him to justify the monolingual message before MPs. Rousseau reflected warmly, “It has been my great honour to work with the dedicated and talented people of Air Canada and to represent our outstanding organisation. I look forward to supporting our company during this important transition period.”
The episode revives national debates on linguistic parity, especially amid Quebec’s push for stronger French in business, where francophones comprise roughly 20 per cent of Canadians.