The aircraft experienced a lethal impact with a response vehicle during the night and is presently undergoing scrutiny for evidence as part of the inquiry.
Air Canada announced on Monday that its Chief Executive Officer and President, Michael Rousseau, plans to relinquish his post before the conclusion of the third quarter of 2026, marking close to twenty years at the firm.
This disclosure coincides with a deadly incident concerning an Air Canada Jazz aircraft originating from Montreal at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, which occurred in the same month.
Within its official declaration, Air Canada presented the transition as a component of a prolonged leadership transition process, indicating that internal preparatory efforts had been in progress for over two years, with an external search commencing in January 2026.
“Representing the whole Board of Directors, I wish to express gratitude to Mike for his numerous services to Air Canada through his advancement from Chief Finance Officer to Deputy Chief Executive Officer, subsequently to Chief Executive Officer, and finally as a Board member,” Vagn Sørensen, the Board of Directors’ Chair, conveyed in a Monday declaration.
Air Canada’s Chief Executive Officer and President, Michael Rousseau, had to offer an apology for his inability to speak French, and is now stepping down. (Nick Lachance/Toronto Star / Getty Images)
“We express our gratitude for the resolute guidance he offered not merely in navigating our corporation through the 2007-2008 economic downturn, the pandemic, and additional difficulties, but likewise in seizing prospects, for instance, the purchase of Aeroplan, in reinstating the financial health of our retirement schemes, and in promoting client focus and staff welfare objectives,” Sørensen stated. “Our forthcoming Annual General Meeting will provide an opportunity to acknowledge his accomplishments further, among which is a heritage of fiscal robustness.”
The largest Canadian air carrier, headquartered in Quebec, reported that Rousseau informed the board of his intention to depart before the third quarter concludes.
Air Canada’s stock declined over two percent on the Toronto securities market.
Prior to the declaration by several days, Rousseau encountered intense censure regarding a video message of sympathy delivered in English subsequent to the deadly LaGuardia Airport accident.
Canada functions as a formally bilingual country, and its Prime Minister, Mark Carney, stated the communication displayed an absence of empathy and discernment, whereas authorities in Quebec and various other parties urged Rousseau’s resignation.
The four-minute video of sympathy from Rousseau, published digitally, contained merely two French terms — “bonjour” and “merci.”
“It profoundly grieves me that my incapacity to communicate in French has shifted focus from the deep sorrow of the affected families and the remarkable fortitude of Air Canada’s staff, who have displayed exceptional professionalism notwithstanding the occurrences of recent days,” Rousseau conveyed in a declaration. “Even after numerous lessons spanning several years, regrettably, I remain incapable of articulating myself proficiently in French. I offer my sincere regrets for this, yet I am persisting in my endeavors to get better.”
An Air Canada Express CRJ-900 aircraft resting on a tarmac at LaGuardia Airport subsequent to an impact. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images / Getty Images)
Linguistic matters continue to be a delicate subject within predominantly French-speaking Quebec, the nation’s second-most-populated province, where discontent regarding the prevalence of English contributed to the emergence of the separatist Parti Québécois during the 1970s.
Even though Air Canada operates as a publicly listed corporation, it is mandated to offer services in both English and French pursuant to the Official Languages Act, which ensures citizens’ prerogative to engage with the corporation in either tongue.
Quebec’s regional assembly last week passed a non-compulsory resolution urging Rousseau to step down due to what legislators termed his disregard for the French language.
A provincial election for the Quebec assembly is scheduled by October, and surveys suggest the Parti Québécois, a party advocating for secession from Canada, is projected to secure a majority of seats.
AIR CANADA CABIN CREW MEMBER THROWN FROM ACCIDENT SEEN IN MEDICAL FACILITY BED
The carrier informed news sources that a blaze was probably sparked by a “presumed landing gear malfunction.” Travelers and staff disembarked without harm. (Credit: Aden O’Callaghan via Storyful)
During 2021, Rousseau offered an apology and vowed to enhance his French proficiency subsequent to criticism from the then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for delivering a discourse nearly wholly in English in Montreal, the locale of the airline’s main offices. François Legault, Quebec’s Premier, pointed out that upon Rousseau’s appointment as president of the airline in February 2021, he had committed to acquiring French language skills.
The Air Canada Express CRJ-900 collided with a fire engine which had been authorized to traverse the LaGuardia runway while the commercial aircraft was touching down on Monday, March 23, 2026. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images / Getty Images)
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Rousseau assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer at Canada’s preeminent airline in February 2021 and assisted Air Canada’s recuperation following the COVID-19 global health crisis, concurrently offering an apology for his inadequate French at that juncture. He further encountered censure concerning his management of a four-day industrial action by cabin crew members last year.
Steven MacKinnon, the Federal Minister of Transportation, released a brief declaration expressing gratitude to Rousseau for his input into Air Canada, and stated that the administration would ensure the airline provided a dual-language service.
Air Canada’s board will presently evaluate potential replacements and has indicated that proficiency in the French language will be a key criterion.
Reuters provided input for this dispatch.