Guess you missed this part of my post from the other day, Andrew:

"Of course, the previously announced Gold Class service is an enhanced business
class product for the AC full fare Hospitality price. Again an attack for Elites by
promising a virtual upgrade to a "superior" domestic business class for the same
price they'd pay to upgrade on AC."

RootsAir will offer front cabin GOLD, middle cabin SILVER, and back of the plane BRONZE. Still no word on FF program, except there was an article a couple of weeks ago indicating RootsAir had applied to be an Aeroplan partner, but AC was being very slow in responding, thus leading to this current state of uncertainty. AC may argue, since RootsAir is part of a large charter carrier, it should not fall under the Competitions Board definition of carriers Aeroplan must give affiliation to.