The planned departure of Michael Rousseau as chief executive of Air Canada has been welcomed by political leaders in Quebec, following ongoing concerns about language use at the top of the airline.
Quebec’s outgoing Premier Francois Legault, along with leadership candidates Christine Fréchet and Bernard Drainville, all expressed support for the decision on Monday.
“It was the only sensible thing to do,” Drainville wrote on social media platform X.
“Air Canada’s next CEO has to speak French. It’s an honour.”
Fréchet stressed the importance of bilingualism, saying Quebec will closely monitor the selection of a new leader.
“The company is subject to the Official Languages Act. It is time this was reflected all the way to the top of the organisation,” he said.
He said, “This is the only credible decision that respects francophones, Quebecers and the National Assembly, and the only decision that will finally signal that things are changing.”
Jean-François Roberge, Quebec’s French language minister, said: “Michael Rousseau had no choice but to leave his position as CEO of Air Canada.”
“The next CEO must be able to express himself in French from the moment he is appointed. This is non-negotiable,” he said.
