31.03.2026 00:01
Air Canada, one of Canada's largest airlines, was shaken last week by a resignation following the horrific accident in New York. The company's CEO, Michael Rousseau, announced his decision to step down. Rousseau's decision was reportedly influenced by the backlash he received for speaking only in English during his statement after the fatal accident at LaGuardia Airport. The presence of two official languages in the country heightens sensitivity around this issue.
Air Canada's CEO Michael Rousseau decided to resign following the intense backlash from his statement after the fatal plane crash at LaGuardia Airport in New York.
REASON FOR THE BACKLASH: NOT SPEAKING FRENCH
In the condolence video released after the accident, Rousseau spoke almost entirely in English, which drew significant criticism, especially in the Quebec region where French is widely spoken. Despite Canada having two official languages, the use of only a few French words in the message was deemed "disrespectful."
POLITICAL AND SOCIAL PRESSURE INCREASED
The crisis quickly took on a political dimension. While the Canadian Prime Minister and the Quebec government criticized Rousseau, hundreds, if not thousands, of complaints were filed with official institutions. The Quebec Parliament also passed a resolution demanding the CEO's resignation.
RESIGNATION DECISION ANNOUNCED
Following the increasing pressure, it was announced that Rousseau would step down. Although the company described this process as a "planned departure," there are comments suggesting that public pressure created by the language debate played a significant role in the decision.
LANGUAGE SENSITIVITY IS VERY HIGH IN CANADA
In Canada, especially in the Quebec region, French is seen not only as a means of communication but also as an important part of cultural identity. Therefore, it is expected that executives of large companies use both official languages, and this sensitivity becomes even more critical during crises.
2 PILOTS HAD DIED
The Air Canada passenger plane operating the Montreal-New York route collided with a fire truck on the runway on Monday, March 23. In the horrific accident, 2 pilots lost their lives, and 41 people were injured. There were 72 passengers and 4 crew members on board.