We are in a somewhat similar although less dramatic situation. Flying from a place in the US to YYC via YYZ. Schedule for first leg was changed to a later time, leaving us with a 45 minutes connection at YYZ with the last YYC flight of the day. We will have checked luggage. I am on a revenue ticket, my wife on Aeroplan. Both in J. So far, no e-mail. Checking our itinerary gets us the standard duplicate first leg.

I am inclined to let this as it is. Would not mind misconnecting at YYZ and having them cover our hotel.