WestJet Airlines review: Canceling me from a flight

I recently booked a return flight via Booking.com on WestJet to Nashville. I booked the following options

Departing Toronto YYZ to Nashville on June 16 at 5;13pm on flight WS1428 to Nashville (Airline Reference HMLRCX)

Returning on June 18 at 5:30pm on flight WS1429 (Same airline reference)

These flights were non refundable, and I knew that when booking

Due to a change in work circumstance, I could not make the first flight (June 16). I knew my flight was non refundable, so I contacted the booking agent to inform I was not on the first flight. I made alternate arrangements to get to Nashville on 16th at my own expense, which - as I commended - I expected

When I tried to check myself onto the return leg on June 17, I was unable to do so. So I called your Helpdesk, at 1:16pm EST on Sunday 18 and was informed I was not scheduled to be on this return leg, and my booking was canceled.

I tried to reason with the representative that I booked two flights with you. One departing Toronto and one arriving to Toronto. I commented I understood that my first flight was not refundable, but I had every intention of returning on the second flight of my paid booking.

Unfortunately he could not help me, and the only way I could get on the flight home yesterday (18th June) was to pay another $444.46 and get on the flight I had previously booked

I am very disappointed in a number of things

1) The policy. Its very greedy.

2) Lack of communication. I would have expected a cancelation notice from you for the second flight so I could have jumped it immediately

3) The principle. You made me pay twice for the same seat on one flight, and you probably resold that seat I had bought - hence why it is greedy

I am also really upset with the lack of common sense and decency here. To be clear, I did not cancel my return flight. You canceled me, and you did not communicate with me, and took my money again. Its really is corporate greed at its worst, IMHO.