From 1998 to 1999 I worked with Hudson General at CYYZ. The first winter I worked the ramp, we would see AirTransat aircraft skip de-icing on a regular basis. They used to have a van, with a cherry picker, and a large air compressor in back. They would get in the basket, and blow the contamination off the wings prior to depatrue. The De-icing pad was new at that time, and yes....Hudson General had the contract for-de-icing with their new yellow de-ice trucks. Elephant trucks they called them I believe. AirTransat would only come buy in heavy snows and ice, but under any other conditions, when others would de-ice, you would never see them. I am pretty sure things have changed now a days. But buy the sounds of the letter posted.....I dunno.
I am also surprised at the Captains actions, if accurate, as alot of Westjet crews are ex-Canadian Forces. They are pretty strict when it comes to following SOP's and regulations.
One last thing......what are WJ's SOP for ice and contamination? I would think that contaminated wings means no departure.