Originally Posted by D582

I've been saying this for a long time, but Rouge exists as a cabin crew labour cost management tool only. It is no longer "Air Canada Rouge, a low-cost leisure airline". It is "Air Canada, operated by rouge". The best analogy is "ANA, operated by Air Japan". Same planes, same amenities, same service.
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This is a calculated gamble by AC, to see how far they can push this. It's by design that transitioning 7M8 to rouge (which they "have" to do for the pilot agreement) is done at the most minimal cost and effort that it could easily be reversed. There absolutely is a 'close down rouge' plan that exists if this doesn't work out. Not much for AC to 'lose' at this point IMO.