TORONTO (AP) — On Monday, Air Canada declared that its CEO, Michael Rousseau, will retire later this year, following criticism for his English-only message of condolence related to the tragic crash this month at New York's LaGuardia Airport. Anticipating his departure by the end of Q3, Rousseau faced backlash from a nation that prides itself on its bilingual nature, especially given that Quebec, the airline's base, is predominantly French-speaking.

Rousseau's video condolence was delivered in English with French subtitles, prompting Prime Minister Mark Carney to call out the lack of compassion and judgment demonstrated by the CEO's message. This incident resulted in hundreds of complaints directed to Canada's Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages.

The crash, which occurred shortly after landing, involved an Air Canada Jazz flight from Montreal colliding with a fire truck, leading to the untimely deaths of two pilots, Antoine Forest and Mackenzie Gunther. As a French-speaking Quebecer, Forest's loss resonated deeply within the local community.

The Canadian Transport Minister, Steven MacKinnon, acknowledged Rousseau's contributions in a social media post and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring 'safe, reliable, affordable, and bilingual service to all Canadians.' The roots of Quebec's distinct identity highlight the importance of language in the current dialogue surrounding Air Canada's corporate practices and leadership responsibilities.