Following the condolence video controversy, the CEO of Air Canada will step down.

 

Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau has faced criticism over his French language skills. (Image: Getty Images)

After being criticized for not speaking French in a condolence video following the fatal collision at LaGuardia Airport last week that resulted in the deaths of two of the airline's pilots, the CEO of Air Canada will retire later this year. Michael Rousseau informed the airline that he will be stepping down by the end of the company's third quarter, Air Canada said in a statement on Monday.

READ MORE: Air Canada CEO 'deeply saddened' his English-only message distracted from victims of crash

Rousseau had faced calls to resign after delivering his condolences in English only.  Antoine Forest, one of the pilots who died, was from French-speaking Quebec. He later apologized and stated that despite taking French lessons over the years, he was unable to express himself "adequately" in the country's official language. "It has been my great honor to work with the dedicated and talented people of Air Canada and to represent our outstanding organization," Rousseau stated in announcing his retirement. "During this crucial transition period, I look forward to supporting our company," Air Canada CEO 'saddened' English message distracted from crash victims

 What we know about the crash at LaGuardia In the same statement, Air Canada said Rousseau was stepping down "after nearly two decades of strong and dedicated leadership" with the airline, which is headquartered in Montreal.

Rousseau's English-only condolence video was criticised by Canadian politicians, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, who said it showed "a lack of compassion".

 François Legault, the premier of Quebec, stated that if Rousseau could not speak French, he should resign.

After Forest and another pilot, Mackenzie Gunther, were killed when an Air Canada plane crashed into a fire truck at New York's LaGuardia airport shortly after landing, the condolence video was made public. In the video, which was posted on X and had subtitles in both English and French, Rousseau expressed his "deepest sorrow for everyone affected." Afterward, he received swift criticism for not speaking French, and Canada's parliamentary committee on official languages summoned him to Ottawa to "explain himself" in front of lawmakers. In a written statement that was later made public in both English and French, Rousseau expressed his regret that his inability to speak French "diverted attention" from the grieving families of the pilots and Air Canada employees. He added that, "despite many lessons over the years," his French remained weak.

He stated, "I sincerely apologise for this, but I am continuing my efforts to improve." Rousseau, an anglophone who lives in Montreal, had been criticized in the past for his proficiency in French, including shortly after he was appointed CEO of Air Canada in 2021. Rousseau expressed regret at the time and pledged to improve his French. Air Canada has been a private company since 1988 after beginning as a federal public corporation. It is subject to Canada's Official Languages Act, however, and announcements on board planes are made in both English and French.

Source: BBC