score:4
UPDATE: Asked at the transfer desk and was put on the first connection. Just went up, showed our connecting boarding passes and IDs, and asked if they could please put us on the earlier flight. The agent asked if we had any checked bags (we didn't), worked on her computer for 5 minutes and printed new boarding passes.
Upvote:1
Do you have any checked bags or are you only travelling with a carry on? Based on my own experience travelling with Air Canada frequently between Ottawa-Toronto and Ottawa-Montreal, I am able to get on an earlier flight in most cases. I only have a carry-on though, I never check a bag. If you have a checked bag I would definitely ask it at the customer service transfer desk just because airline may need more time for logistics. If you don't have a checked bag, you could do either.