"One thing that Canadian politicians on all sides of the political spectrum are going to have to grapple with is, what does it mean to live next to a neighbour whose head of government and head of state is not just engaging in fascist, or borderline fascist, rhetoric, but is taking the policy steps to back it up?" Rob Goodman, a professor at Toronto Metropolitan University and a former congressional staffer, told The House.

With a few exceptions, Trudeau and his ministers were highly restrained in what they said — and didn't say — about Trump, both when he was a candidate in 2016 and when he was president. The possibility of provoking a fight with real consequences for Canadians and the economy seemed to be constantly top-of-mind for the prime minister.

Trudeau might be at least somewhat more willing to speak now. He has acknowledged being concerned about what a Trump presidency might mean for the global fight against climate change. He has also spoken about the choice Americans are facing — a choice he has opted to compare to the one Canadians will face in the next federal election.

Trudeau's Liberals have not shied away from comparing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to Trump. The phrase "MAGA Conservatives" recently entered the Liberal lexicon.