It's another devaluation of the "loyalty" program. The fees were a revenue grab by the airlines with AP a willing enabler by promoting the flights with the higher fees. This just seals the deal. This option works wonders for the small group who have hundreds of thousands of Aero miles. However, for the vast majority of customers, who don't, it's not interesting.
Aeroplan makes it very difficult to compare options by refusing to show the fees and taxes in the results. One only gets the fees and taxes by clicking through to a purchase. Then, if one wants to compare, it's another waste of time to backtrack.

Anyway, it is what it is. To those who benefit, congrats.