Air Canada’s President and CEO, Michael Rousseau, is set to retire in the fall after nearly two decades with the airline. The decision aligns with the company’s CEO executive succession planning process that has been ongoing internally for over two years, as confirmed by an airline spokesperson to CBC News.
Rousseau, in an internal communication obtained by Radio-Canada, expressed his pride in representing the airline but acknowledged that it was time for him to retire. He will continue to lead the company and serve on its board of directors until the end of the third quarter.
The retirement announcement follows the tragic incident involving Air Canada Flight 8646, which resulted in the deaths of two pilots and injuries to numerous individuals. Rousseau faced criticism for delivering a condolence message predominantly in English, despite the airline’s policy requiring proficiency in both of Canada’s official languages.
The CEO’s handling of the situation sparked a debate among politicians, with Prime Minister Mark Carney, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, and Quebec Premier François Legault voicing their opinions. Rousseau later issued an apology for his inability to speak French adequately, acknowledging the impact his actions had on the affected families.
As a result of the controversy, Rousseau has been summoned to appear before the Official Languages Committee in Ottawa, with the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages receiving numerous complaints regarding the matter.
Political figures, including Prime Minister Carney and Transport Minister Stephen MacKinnon, reacted to Rousseau’s retirement, emphasizing the importance of bilingualism for the next Air Canada CEO. Quebec politicians also weighed in, emphasizing the need for a French-speaking CEO out of respect for the company’s employees and customers.
Notably, analyst John Gradek highlighted the significance of language skills for the next CEO, suggesting that the ability to speak French will likely be a crucial criterion in the selection process. The timing of Rousseau’s retirement announcement was influenced by political pressures at both the provincial and federal levels.