With the inauguration of President Donald Trump and the launch of several Liberal leadership races all occurring in the span of a week, it’s hard not to notice the stark Canadian deficit in political energy.

Monday saw Trump sworn in with yet another speech heavy with populist and nationalist notes. The most dreadful Trumpisms to Canadian observers across the political spectrum — talk of 51st states and the potential absorption of Canada into the union — were thankfully omitted, a result of either happenstance or diligent work by certain Canadian premiers in smoothing down feathers that have been ruffled on both sides of the border.