Air Canada selects Anko van der Werff as its next chief executive, following criticism of the company’s previous leadership communications. According to reporting, the airline’s earlier CEO, Michael Rousseau, faces retirement after a widely discussed backlash tied to a condolence statement released after a March crash. Sources describe the criticism as centered on language use, including that the statement was delivered largely in English rather than offering French.
Both outlets note that language ability is part of Air Canada’s stated criteria for the new CEO. In that context, van der Werff—described as someone who speaks French—is chosen for the role. The transition also follows broader attention to Air Canada’s bilingual identity and how senior messaging reflects Canada’s official languages.
Overall, the appointment is presented as a leadership change after controversy over prior communication, with French language capability cited among the qualifications for the next CEO. Rousseau is expected to step down as part of the succession process.
