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Mr. Sparkle

(3,709 posts) Mon Mar 30, 2026, 11:52 AM 7 hrs ago

Air Canada CEO to retire after condolence-video controversy

Source: BBC

The CEO of Air Canada will retire later this year, after being criticised for failing to speak French in a condolence video following last week's fatal collision at LaGuardia Airport that killed two of the airline's pilots.

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. Rousseau had faced calls to resign after delivering his condolences in English only. One of the pilots who died, Antoine Forest, was from French-speaking Quebec.

He later apologised and said he was unable to express himself "adequately" in French - an official language in Canada - despite taking lessons over the years.

Announcing his retirement, Rousseau said: "It has been my great honour to work with the dedicated and talented people of Air Canada and to represent our outstanding organisation. "I look forward to supporting our company during this important transition period."

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgme8xy2rl1o

3 replies

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Highlight:

Air Canada CEO to retire after condolence-video controversy (Original Post) Mr. Sparkle 7 hrs ago OP

Rousseau had committed to learning French when he became CEO... Spazito 7 hrs ago #1

Who amongst us recalls the scene in "Canadian Bacon" where the bus with obscene words, critical of Canada, 3Hotdogs 7 hrs ago #2

If his retirement is because of that comment not being in French, why is he waiting 6 months? MichMan 6 hrs ago #3

Spazito

(55,456 posts)

1. Rousseau had committed to learning French when he became CEO...

Reply to Mr. Sparkle (Original post)

Mon Mar 30, 2026, 12:12 PM

7 hrs ago

and it was clear he did not follow through with that commitment. In a 4 minute video, he used only two French words, "bonjour" and "merci". If that is all he was able to learn during his time 'learning French' one has to wonder about his abilities as CEO, imo.

3Hotdogs

(15,359 posts)

2. Who amongst us recalls the scene in "Canadian Bacon" where the bus with obscene words, critical of Canada,

Reply to Mr. Sparkle (Original post)

Mon Mar 30, 2026, 12:15 PM

7 hrs ago

was pulled over because the slurs were also not in French?

MichMan

(17,144 posts)

3. If his retirement is because of that comment not being in French, why is he waiting 6 months?

Reply to Mr. Sparkle (Original post)

Mon Mar 30, 2026, 12:51 PM

6 hrs ago

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