The CEO of Air Canada, Michael Rousseau, has announced he will retire later this year after facing criticism over a message he delivered in English only.

The controversy began after a fatal crash in New York, where Rousseau shared a condolence message that included no French, sparking backlash in Canada.

Because Canada is a bilingual country, many officials and citizens felt the message did not reflect national values.

Canadian leaders, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, said the next CEO should be fluent in both English and French.

Quebec officials also reacted strongly, emphasizing the importance of the French language in leadership roles within the airline.

Rousseau will officially step down by the end of the third quarter as discussions continue about choosing a new, bilingual leader.