This is thread is about another news item where AC says it is being hurt by competition, so it is starting something that is exactly like the competitor and hopes to drive them out of business (City Express comes to mind). And if they can't drive the competitor out of business, they buy them (Canadian). My prediction is that they will buy Westjet and try to bankrupt Porter and Transat but buy them if necessary. If someone else comes along to buy those airlines, AC will take them to court and win because they will have non-Canadian backers.
Where do you think they would find the money to buy another carrier? Besides even the most business friendly government would never let them buy Westjet.