The Canadian political class, from Harper to Carney, has been energized by the surge in Canadian pride we’ve seen in the last year

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The unveiling of Stephen Harper’s official parliamentary portrait has provided a moment of unexpected catharsis in Canadian politics.

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Speaking at an event hosted by the Royal Canadian Geographic Society this week, the former prime minister said there is a tendency in Canada to focus on past mistakes, at the expense of pride in the country’s achievements.

The same might be said about the Canadian body politic, which tends to dwell on partisan divisions.

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But Harper’s return to Ottawa, 20 years after he formed his first government, has instead put the spotlight on a rare moment of consensus.

Seen from afar, the sight of the current Liberal prime minister, Mark Carney, lauding his Conservative predecessor as a “conviction politician,” who brought “composure, intellect and decisiveness to public life,” is startling.

Carney said Harper could also be pragmatic, “doing what was necessary........

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