The Lessons of  ’21

Most election commentary focuses on the personalities involved in the horse race. Some contests, however, say much more about what the country thinks of itself — and where its citizens want to go. In a pivotal time for Canada, still seized with the trauma of an all-consuming crisis, faced with historic deficits, and dealing with a divided electorate and whispers of misinformation, fundamental questions about the role of government have moved to the forefront.

Ottawa has been tasked with protecting millions against a once-in-a-generation threat and has, by most accounts, succeeded. Yet in many ways the political situation has deteriorated. The prime minister, who called this election before he needed to, has been subjected to persistent accusations of abusing legislative procedure to avoid accountability. Critics have argued that his party has turned its back on the principles of...