In some ways, Canon answered this 'problem' already. Rebel/xxxD bodies prior to the T4i/650D have an A-DEP setting on the mode dial, which would have the camera pick an aperture to get the nearest and furthest subjects in focus (limited by what was under the AF points). Older high-end bodies had a more sophisticated version, DEP mode - found on the EOS 1 and 3 film bodies (maybe the EOS 7?), and the original 1D and 1Ds. Similar to multi point metering, you'd focus on a near subject then a far subject with an AF point (two separate steps) then the camera would AF to the hyperfocal distance and pick the widest aperture that would get far and near subjects in focus.

But they seem to think we've outgrown the need for these 'crutches' and the DEP-type modes are gone now...