So, just for another data point, I logged into my mom's non-status account.

Same itinerary (or as close as I could get) was over $450, the only AC flight was YVR-PDX. Carrier surcharge was over $200 of that.

So I skipped that leg and just tried starting at SEA. $117. No surcharge. So they're definitely charging the AC surcharge as if it were an international flight or something...it's just criminal to suggest that 3-4 airlines that DON'T charge YQ and won't receive any, but that AC somehow requires over $200 on a flight that AC itself doesn't even charge fuel surcharge on for a cash booking. ALL OF THIS keeping in mind oil has gone from $100+ per barrel to like 30 something.

I've always been a big believer that you really can make hay with Aeroplan, but not anymore. I can't fly Swiss or Turkish or Avianca or Copa to avoid the scam simply because I live in the second biggest city in the country. Awesome.