John Ivison: PM Justin Trudeau’s pursuit of wedge politics has cost Canadians their national pride

OTTAWA — British etymologist Susie Dent offered the archaic best wishes of “respair” (fresh hope) and “respiscence” (a return to a better frame of mind) on social media as we entered the new year.

But for Canadian political watchers, the mood was likely closer to another of Dent’s obsolete nouns — “humdudgeon,” an imaginary illness caused by a sense of it all being over, pending a return to a gloomy reality.

There is a torpor present in our politics that was apparent in Justin Trudeau’s New Year’s epistle to Canadians.

“It’s a new year and we’re staying focused on you — on making your life more affordable, creating good jobs, fighting climate change, advancing reconciliation and much more. Let’s keep going,” he said.

No one expects the Gettysburg Address in a tweet, particularly when the prime minister is in Jamaica and likely didn’t even read it.