The PE cabin is fairly small too so I am surprised that agents are encouraged. In the sector that I fly I don't see them upgrading too many into PE as it's fairly full.
I certainly will change from BR if they do away with PE from YYZ.
But not too many airlines have a good PE unlike BR. Honestly for the price they charge they should market the PE lot more. Many would pay for the extra for the comfort. As any OP mentioned a lot of Asians still use travel agent and in my experience they don't give too many options and many may not even know about the PE.