Air Canada announced on Monday that Michael Rousseau, its president and CEO, will retire by the end of the third quarter of 2026 after nearly 20 years with the company. The decision comes shortly after a deadly crash involving an Air Canada Jazz flight at New York’s LaGuardia Airport and amid criticism over Rousseau’s inadequate French language skills.
In an official statement, Air Canada framed Rousseau’s retirement as part of a planned, long-term succession process. The company revealed that internal leadership development had been underway for more than two years, and an external search for a successor began in January 2026. Vagn Sørensen, Chair of the Board, thanked Rousseau for his leadership in navigating key challenges such as the 2007–2008 financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, pension solvency, and the acquisition of Aeroplan.
Why it matters
Rousseau’s departure is significant because it occurs at a sensitive moment for Air Canada, which is facing public scrutiny after the March 23 crash at LaGuardia that killed multiple people including a Port Authority firefighter. The CEO also attracted criticism for a condolence message delivered almost entirely in English, which violated expectations in Canada’s bilingual context and caused political backlash, especially in Quebec.
Canada’s Official Languages Act mandates bilingual services from federally regulated companies like Air Canada. Quebec’s provincial legislature recently passed a non-binding motion calling for Rousseau’s resignation over his inadequate French, which remains a politically sensitive issue given Quebec’s strong French-speaking identity and separatist movements.
Background
Rousseau became Air Canada’s CEO in February 2021 and initially apologized for his poor French skills, pledging to improve them. However, his struggles with the language continued to draw criticism. He also faced challenges managing a four-day flight attendant strike in 2025. Before becoming CEO, Rousseau held senior roles including Chief Financial Officer and Deputy CEO.
The March 23 accident involved an Air Canada Express CRJ-900 that collided with a Port Authority fire truck during landing at LaGuardia Airport. Investigations are ongoing, with the National Transportation Safety Board noting conflicting information about ground control communication at the time of the crash.
Next steps for Air Canada leadership
Air Canada’s board is now considering candidates to succeed Rousseau, with French language proficiency explicitly listed as a key criterion for the next CEO. The airline’s upcoming annual general meeting will formally recognize Rousseau’s contributions, while shareholders respond to the leadership transition.
Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon acknowledged Rousseau’s service and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring Air Canada maintains bilingual services.
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