Michael Rousseau

Michael Rousseau was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada in February 2021. He had served since January 2019 as Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, adding oversight over several significant corporate initiatives and businesses, including Air Canada Rouge, to his continuing responsibilities for the airline’s overall financial strategic direction and related functions since 2007 when he became Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. In these prior roles, Mr. Rousseau played a significant and highly strategic role in Air Canada’s successful transformation over more than a decade. In December 2024, he was elected Chair of the Star Alliance Chief Executive Board (CEB).

Prior to Air Canada, Mr. Rousseau held executive positions, including that of President, at Canada’s largest diversified general merchandise retailer, Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC). He also held senior executive financial positions at other large, international corporations, including Moore Corporation, Silcorp Limited, and the UCS Group (a division of Imasco Limited). Mr. Rousseau has been a director of several public companies. He is also a member of the Board of Governors of the International Air Transport Association.

A graduate of York University, Mr. Rousseau has been a member of the Ontario Institute of Chartered Accountants since 1983. He holds the FCA and FCPA designations, conferred by CPA Ontario in recognition of his professional achievements and contributions. He was named Canada’s CFO of the Year™ for 2017 by Financial Executives International Canada, PwC Canada and Robert Half.