Michael Rousseau, the CEO of Air Canada, has announced his retirement by the end of September 2023, following significant backlash over his handling of a condolence message related to the tragic Flight 8646 crash.

The crash, which occurred on March 22, 2023, resulted in the deaths of two pilots. Rousseau’s English-only message of condolence drew criticism for failing to include French, leading to widespread complaints. The Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages received 2,360 complaints regarding his remarks.

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.

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 linguistic diversity at its 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.” This retirement comes in the wake of a previous incident in 2021, where Rousseau was criticized for delivering a speech solely in English.

Christine Fréchette, a language advocate, remarked, “The company is subject to the Official Languages Act; it is time that this is reflected at the highest levels of the company.” Rousseau’s retirement has been described as appropriate by Prime Minister Carney, signaling a potential shift in leadership priorities for Air Canada.

As Air Canada prepares for this transition, stakeholders are watching closely to see how the next CEO will address the company’s language policies and public relations strategies.

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