We did it because we feel very strongly about making the current CATSA into a not-for-profit organization, much as was done by a previous government back in the nineties in severing NavCan from Transport Canada, which has turned out to be an extremely successful model.
I will point out that there are differing opinions about this decision. The airline industry has expressed what you have said. On the other hand, the airports where this measure would be implemented feel very positive about the decision we have taken to move ahead with this not-for-profit version of CATSA.