Air Canada CEO to quit amid backlash over LaGuardia crash response

(NewsNation) — The CEO of Air Canada will retire later this year following backlash over his condolence message after a deadly crash involving one of the airline’s planes at New York’s LaGuardia Airport.

In a statement Monday, the airlines said Michael Rosseau, who has been with the company for nearly two decades, plans to step down by the end of the third quarter. The board will begin evaluating successors, noting that qualifications will include “the ability to communicate in French, the statement said.

Rousseau, 68, faced criticism after delivering a condolence message, mostly in English, following the March 22 crash, despite Canada’s two official languages being English and French. As a Montreal-based airline, Air Canada is required to serve customers in both languages.

The crash involved an Air Canada Express flight from Montreal that collided with an airport fire truck after landing at LaGuardia, killing both pilots and injuring dozens.

Rousseau drew backlash for using only limited French in his remarks — offering “bonjour” and “merci” — which some critics said dismissed French-speaking Canadians. Political leaders quickly weighed in, arguing his lack of fluency reflected a disconnect with a significant portion of the country.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Rousseau’s message showed “a lack of judgment” and “compassion,” while Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said it showed a “sad and gross lack of respect” for Forest’s family. Quebec Premier François Legault called for Rousseau’s resignation.

Rousseau later apologized, acknowledging that his language limitations had shifted attention away from grieving families and the airline’s response efforts.

Rousseau joined Air Canada in 2007 as executive vice president and chief financial officer and was named deputy chief executive in 2019.

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