Its snowing here in Halifax, and there is a runway down after a minor incident. Flights were canceled or rerouted earlier today, there are only so many aircraft around to recover schdedule. If the flight is canceled, then its canceled for one of several good reasons.

That - weather - and the ongoing reservation system problems explain (if not satisfactorily) the long hold times. There is no shortcut.

That said, what are you expecting from them? AC (or other airlines) generally do not provide hotels, or anything else, for the start of a journey. There may be delay compensation, but that is a problem for later.