"It's a cowboy thing dude."
No, it's a "Public Relations" spray that does nothing to increase safety, but give the "appearance" that something was done...
As for
"I thought TC and your SOP was pretty clear. ANY contamination has to be removed. Period."
You have no knowledge of our S.O.P.'s so I will enlighten you... WestJet and it's fleet of 737-NG aircraft are permitted... "Takeoff with light coatings of cold soaked fuel frost on the upper wing surfaces is permissible in accordance with the AFM and the exemption from CAR 602.11(2), provided certain conditions are met." End quote.
Also: Cold dry snow on a cold wing - the application of de-icing/anti icing fluid to the wing of the aircraft would result in the snow sticking to the fluid. Under such conditions it may not be prudent to apply fluids to the wing.
As I said: It's all well and good to speak from experience gained in your own operations, but to chastise another Airline for operating according to it's own Transport Canada approved F.O.M. is counter-productive and pointless...