Following a number of high profile 'ground icing related' accidents that occurred during take-off in the 80's/early 90's, a lot of work was (and continues to be) carried out by the industry in order reduce the potential for further such accidents. Areas such as common standards, approved fluids and training for both flight and ground crews have been addressed and adopted globally.
Hopefully, as a result of the efforts that have been made, incidents of this nature are now rare. However, it appears to suggest that while the infrastructure is now in place, more stringent auditing programmes may be required in order to ensure Operators comply with the requirements.
Having said this, maybe the regulations the Captain was working under need reviewing. With regard to the statement in the report, …..”I approached the Captain after the flight and asked him why we departed without deicing. He said they were ‘cold soaked from the arrival and that they thought everything would blow off'…..” this raises an interesting point. Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) 602.11 state, “…..No person shall conduct or attempt to conduct a take-off in an aircraft that has frost, ice or snow adhering to any of its critical surfaces…..”. As the Captain “..…thought everything would blow off…..”, i.e. was not adhering, was he operating within the regulations?
JAR-OPS 1.345 appears to be less ambiguous, “…..A commander shall not commence take-off unless the external surfaces are clear of any deposit which might adversely affect the performance and/or controllability of the aeroplane except as permitted in the Aeroplane Flight Manual."