OTTAWA—Last week presented a fascinating contradiction of two political leaders—one long retired, and one hoping not to be retired anytime soon. Who am I talking about? Jean Chrétien, the former prime minister, and Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative opposition leader who has yet to hold top office.

Let us start with Chrétien. Last week, he was in Gander, N.L., to commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11. He was prime minister on Sept 11, 2001, when nearly 3,000 innocent people were killed in the worst domestic terror attack on United States soil. Twenty-four Canadians were also lost.

Gander, of course, became the global symbol for people helping people in their darkest hour as, on that day, the tiny community nearly doubled in size welcoming almost 7,000 stranded passengers. Friends helping friends, as Chrétien properly described it. He noted that what happened in Gander and across Canada that day—as well as Canada moving for the invocation of NATO’s Article 5 in response to America being........

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