Just an observation, when I leave from LHR, it almost always on time. The gate agents work well and are organized on getting the plane loaded, the flight crews deal with the usual excess carry on bags, frequently bring them to business class to get off on time.

When departing Canada, I find that in general, none of the Air Canada gate people and flight crew are organized and driven to on time departures.

For example, last week, leaving Winnipeg. The plane arrived 30 minutes early, we departed 46 minutes late. The reason - catering was not delivered to the plane. So, we waited for it be loaded. The failure was not noted until 10 minutes before departure time. There is no excuse of a mid afternoon flight to have missed loading the food and beverages. Somebody should get a serious reprimand for that failure. Sad, it will just be another late departure. Also, arriving 46 minutes late, meant I would have only had 20 minutes for supper in the Signature Suite, so we passed on it. I did make a complaint to the YWG Concierge, who have promised access passes for SS access, Sadly, a week later, so passes have arrived, which again is the mediocre service post covid of Concierge group, I have lowered by expectation of their performance, which they occasionally meet that lower expectation. Again as real example, I will email the YWG Concierge, about 50% of the time, I get an automated email response - we are not in the office until the next day, so call central number. They no longer work from 5 am to 7 pm, it is 5 am to 3pm only 5 days a week. No weekend service, so after 3 service.

When I fly Delta, they hustle to get out on time. Starts with gate agents walking around tagging carry on bags for gate checking, which also become gate pick up for those bags.

From my experience, it starts with the CEO creating an organization which desires to have on time performance. Yes there will be times when factors such as weather, maintenance, etc. cause late arrivals. When I read the CEO of AC is ok with mediocre on time performance, you get the result of being worst in North America. It is human nature, the unexpected delays drag them done. I really wish they would make on time performance the expectation. Sadly, that will probably be the next CEO who will come in and shake up the place.

I hope that at some point the directors of Air Canada, create a compensation incentive for the CEO to get have great on time performance, then we will see it change.
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