Air Canada CEO Resigns Over French Skills

0:00It's March 30, I'm Cory with the story, and this is Canada News Today, your AI-powered local news. Air Canada CEO Michael Russo is stepping down by the end of the third quarter in 2026. The board announced it Monday after months of heat over his limited French skills. This came right after a condolence video he made following a deadly tarmac crash at La Guardia Airport in New York that killed two pilots, one from Quebec. That video sparked the firestorm because Russo only managed hello and thank you in French before switching to English. Even though Air Canada is private now, it still falls under Canada's Official Languages Act, so leaders got summoned to explain themselves. Quebec politicians jumped on it quick, CAQ leadership hopefuls, Christine for Shet and Bernard Draenville called the retirement the right move, and pushed hard for bilingual replacement too. Show respect for French speakers. Prime Minister Mark Carney slammed Rousseau for lacking judgment and compassion too.

1:01Russo apologized in writing, but owned up that he just can't express himself well in French, despite trying. Transport ministers Steven McKinnon thanked him for his service and keeping Canada on top in air travel, but stressed the knee for safe, reliable, and fully bilingual flights going forward. The board now has time to pick a new leader who fits the bill, signaling real change at the top for Quebecers and all Canadians who expect both. Languages and big companies like this.