Thanks for your comments, Negrilsand and Captain Oil. I'm not convinced AC could'nt find a replacement aircraft, or charter us with a different carrier. MBJ is 2 air-hours from many north american hubs served by AC. I believe they just didn't care to make it happen, or pay for it. I have asked the VP of maintenance for some logistical answers, I doubt I will get replies.
I think everyone was prepared to 'survive' with thier carry-ons, but this wasn't about survival, it was about the comfort we paid for. How many circumstances should one reasonably prepare for in a carry-on? Note that none of us expected to end up in Toronto's outdoors.