Story perspectives

Air Canada Picks SAS Leader Anko van der Werff CEO

7/10/2026

Summary

Van der Werff hired

Air Canada will appoint SAS CEO Anko van der Werff as President and CEO by end-January 2027.
He succeeds Michael Rousseau, who retired Aug. 31 after 19 years amid criticism for not speaking French.
The board, noting his French ability, expects van der Werff to drive growth and maintain capital allocation, citing his handling of a 15-day pilot strike, a $2 billion debt restructuring and 86 % on-time performance in 2025 at SAS.

Summary

Air Canada Bilingual

Air Canada’s appointment is being judged on bilingual ability, a factor for its licence in Quebec.
Federal law mandates English-French services and requires the airline’s headquarters to stay in Montreal under the 1988 privatization.
Quebec statutes do not bind Air Canada because airlines are regulated federally, not provincially.
Union opposition to Ben Smith’s 2018 appointment and Prime Minister Mark Carney’s rebuke of an English-only video illustrate pressure on bilingual compliance.

History

Historical Context

The 1969 Official Languages Act, introduced by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, made bilingual service a federal requirement. A 1974 Supreme Court ruling confirmed its constitutionality, and the 1988 Air Canada Public Participation Act extended the duty to the privatized airline. Air Canada’s 2027 appointment of SAS chief Anko van der Werff, noted for French fluency, shows the Act’s lasting influence on corporate language standards.

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Van der Werff hired

Air Canada will appoint SAS CEO Anko van der Werff as President and CEO by end-January 2027.
He succeeds Michael Rousseau, who retired Aug. 31 after 19 years amid criticism for not speaking French.
The board, noting his French ability, expects van der Werff to drive growth and maintain capital allocation, citing his handling of a 15-day pilot strike, a $2 billion debt restructuring and 86 % on-time performance in 2025 at SAS.

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