I don't know the rules for Canada, but I do know that I was on a flight from JFK through DXB to JNB and the incoming plane (for the JFK to DXB flight) was late. It was due to depart at 10:40 am. We continually received updates but all we heard was "it is late".

After 3 hours of "it is late' Emirates bussed us all to a HoJo in Queens and provided food vouchers at the HoJos and each family was assigned a room. Apparently they (Emirates) had advance notice that the flight was going to be more than 8 hours late.

Well, about 6 pm we received a wake-up call in the room telling us the flight was now scheduled to depart at 8pm and to be ready to catch the shuttle bus back to the airport. We did, and all was fine, until we landed in DXB. We had missed the Johannesburg connection and thus, Emirates put us up in another hotel and gave us meal and transportation. We were there for only about 9 hours total but it was a welcome respite, enough time for a shower, snooze, and a meal.

So, my take on this is that if Emirates is to blame inasmuch as there is a deviation from the scheduled booking, then they will come through. If, however, the terms of the booking is a problem (to you, not them) then the problem is yours.