Michael Rousseau

Michael Rousseau is the Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada. He is currently facing significant public and political backlash for issuing an English-only statement of condolence following a fatal plane crash at LaGuardia Airport in New York that killed two pilots. This has sparked controversy in Canada, particularly in Quebec, where French language rights are a sensitive issue. Critics, including politicians and Prime Minister Mark Carney, have condemned Rousseau's actions as a lack of judgment and compassion. Some lawmakers have even called for his resignation. While Rousseau has since apologized for his inability to express himself in French, the apology has been largely dismissed as insufficient, with a motion passed rejecting it. The incident has reignited concerns about linguistic rights and the importance of bilingualism within Canada's national airline.