Air Canada’s decision to award top executives substantial bonuses following a year of exceeding profit targets has sparked discussions, especially with the airline’s stock lagging behind its industry peers. CEO Michael Rousseau’s $2.6-million bonus, part of a $12.08-million total compensation package for 2023, marks a significant increase from his previous bonus, amidst a backdrop of earlier controversies over executive compensation during the pandemic. Other executives also saw their bonuses increase by 30% to 50%, leading to compensation hikes of 20% to 30%.
Financial Performance vs. Stock Returns
In 2023, Air Canada reported a $1.71-billion adjusted net income, significantly surpassing its profit target of $493-million. This financial achievement was the basis for the calculation of the executives’ bonuses, particularly focusing on ‘adjusted net income.’ However, despite these impressive financial results, Air…
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