Meeb,
All your comments are correct except for questioning the number of resignations. From one of the Balpa cc members I heard last week that there were 15 resignations at the end of September, of which 9 were Q400 captains from various bases. There have also been resignations from dash F/Os and 146 captains and F/Os.
From the same source I was told that prior to these resignations they were already short of 20 dash captains. As has been mentioned they are already cancelling flights if captains call in sick as there is no one left to provide standby cover.