Michael Rousseau Bio: Air Canada CEO Age, Height, Wife, Family, Net Worth, Career, Retirement & More
Michael Rousseau is a Canadian business executive best known as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada from February 2021 until his announced retirement in 2026. A veteran finance leader, he played a key role in the airline’s financial turnaround and post-pandemic recovery. Born in the late 1950s, Rousseau faced public scrutiny over his limited French language skills despite living in Montreal for years, culminating in controversy following a deadly Air Canada incident at LaGuardia Airport in March 2026. He will step down as CEO by the end of the third quarter of 2026.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Michael Stewart Rousseau (Michael S. Rousseau) |
| Nick Name | Michael Rousseau |
| Profession | Business Executive, Former President & CEO of Air Canada |
| Birth Date | Late 1950s (exact date not publicly confirmed) |
| Age | 68 |
| Birth Place | Cornwall, Ontario, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Known For | CEO of Air Canada (2021–2026); long tenure as CFO; Canada’s CFO of the Year 2017; Star Alliance CEO Board Chair |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Zodiac Sign | Not publicly specified |
| Height & Weight | Not publicly available |
| Hair Color | Graying |
| Eye Color | Not publicly specified |
| Qualification | Bachelor of Business Administration, York University (Schulich School of Business, 1981); Chartered Accountant (CA, 1983) |
| Religion | Not publicly specified |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Josephine Rousseau (second marriage) |
| Children | Four adult children from first marriage (Shawn, Lindsay, Samantha, Christine); two stepchildren (Francesa and Julien) |
| Family | Wife Josephine; children and stepchildren living primarily in British Columbia and elsewhere |
| Hobbies | Not widely publicized |
| Current Work | Retiring as President & CEO of Air Canada (effective end of Q3 2026) |
| Years Active | 1980s–2026 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $25–35 million+ (including compensation and holdings) |
Early Life & Education
Michael Stewart Rousseau was born in Cornwall, Ontario, a small city in eastern Ontario. He showed an early aptitude for business and numbers. He attended York University’s Schulich School of Business in Toronto, graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1981. He earned his Chartered Accountant (CA) designation in 1983 after articling briefly with Deloitte Haskins & Sells (now Deloitte Canada).
Rousseau began his career in accounting and quickly moved into corporate finance roles, demonstrating strong leadership and financial acumen from a young age.
Career Journey
Early Career and Retail Leadership (1980s–2000s)
After qualifying as a CA, Rousseau joined United Cigar Stores Ltd. (a subsidiary of Imasco Ltd.) as accounting manager in 1984. By 1987 he became Vice President and Controller, and at age 30 he was named CFO. He later held senior executive positions, including President, at Canada’s largest diversified general merchandise retailer, Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC), where he gained broad retail and operational experience.
Air Canada Transformation (2007–2021)
Rousseau joined Air Canada in 2007 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Over more than a decade in this role, he played a pivotal part in the airline’s financial restructuring, recovery from the 2008 global financial crisis, and long-term transformation. He oversaw financial reporting, investor relations, treasury, pensions, internal audit, procurement, and corporate real estate. In January 2019 he was promoted to Deputy Chief Executive Officer and CFO, adding oversight of Air Canada Rouge and other initiatives.
President and CEO of Air Canada (2021–2026)
In February 2021, Rousseau was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada. He guided the airline through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic recovery, raising significant capital and focusing on operational efficiency. In December 2024 he was elected Chair of the Star Alliance Chief Executive Board. His compensation reached approximately C$13.1 million in 2025.
On March 30, 2026, Air Canada announced that Rousseau would retire by the end of the third quarter of 2026, following backlash over an English-only condolence message after a fatal Air Canada Express collision at New York’s LaGuardia Airport that killed two pilots.
Career Highlights & Achievements
- Canada’s CFO of the Year 2017 (FEI Canada, PwC Canada, Robert Half)
- Instrumental in Air Canada’s financial turnaround and post-pandemic recovery
- Chair of the Star Alliance CEO Board (elected 2024)
- Long-standing board and leadership roles in Canadian business
Personal Life
Michael Rousseau is married to Josephine Rousseau. He has four adult children—Shawn, Lindsay, Samantha, and Christine—from his first marriage, who live primarily in British Columbia. He also has two stepchildren, Francesa and Julien, from his marriage to Josephine. Details about his family life remain largely private, though he has referenced his wife and mother (both French-speaking) in public statements.
Rousseau has lived in Montreal for many years while serving in senior roles at Air Canada, despite limited proficiency in French, which sparked repeated public discussion in Canada’s bilingual context.
Controversies
Rousseau faced significant criticism in 2021 for delivering a major speech almost entirely in English shortly after becoming CEO. In March 2026, he drew further backlash for issuing an English-only video message expressing condolences after a deadly runway collision at LaGuardia Airport involving an Air Canada plane. The incident, which killed two pilots, led to calls for his resignation and accelerated his retirement announcement. Critics highlighted the importance of bilingual communication for the leader of Canada’s national airline based in Montreal. Rousseau had previously apologized for his French skills and committed to improvement, but the 2026 controversy intensified scrutiny.
Awards & Achievements
- Canada’s CFO of the Year 2017
- Key architect of Air Canada’s financial strategy and recovery
- Leadership of Star Alliance CEO Board
- Over four decades of executive experience in retail and aviation
Physical Statistics
- Height & Weight: Not publicly available
- Build: Typical for a senior business executive
Interesting Facts
- Rousseau became CFO of United Cigar Stores at just 30 years old.
- He has lived in Montreal for over 15 years but faced ongoing criticism for not being fluent in French.
- His mother and wife both speak French, a detail he once mentioned publicly.
- He will retire in 2026 amid heightened focus on bilingual leadership at Air Canada.
Did You Know Already?
Despite leading Air Canada—a major employer in Quebec—Michael Rousseau’s limited French proficiency became a recurring national topic, highlighting tensions around Canada’s official bilingualism policy for corporate leaders.
Social Media Links
- LinkedIn: Michael Rousseau
- Official updates via Air Canada corporate communications and investor relations
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Michael Rousseau in 2026?
He is 68 years old (born in the late 1950s).
When is Michael Rousseau retiring from Air Canada?
He will retire by the end of the third quarter of 2026 (around October), following the announcement on March 30, 2026.
Does Michael Rousseau speak French?
He has limited proficiency in French despite living in Montreal for many years, which has been a point of public controversy.
What is Michael Rousseau’s net worth?
Estimates range from $25 million to $35 million or more, including executive compensation, stock holdings, and career earnings.
Who is Michael Rousseau’s wife?
Josephine Rousseau. He also has four children from a previous marriage and two stepchildren.
Conclusion
Michael Rousseau rose from a young CFO in retail to lead one of Canada’s flagship airlines through major financial challenges and a global pandemic. His tenure at Air Canada was marked by strategic successes but also public debates over language and leadership expectations in a bilingual nation. As he prepares to retire in 2026 at age 68, his legacy reflects decades of financial expertise and corporate transformation in Canadian business.
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