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Prime Minister Stephen Harper speaks to reporters at the NATO Summit in Lisbon on Nov. 20, 2010.KEVIN COOMBS/Reuters

Perusing my morning read in The Globe, I see that "Prime Minister Stephen Harper toasted Canada's solid successes in 2010 in an undramatic New Year's message that contrasted sharply to those of global leaders who face continuing economic or political crises.

"Despite a massive federal deficit, Mr. Harper offered no call to Canadians for common sacrifice, as British Prime Minister David Cameron did. Despite a sluggish economy, he felt no need to reach back to the achievements of previous generations to urge Canadians to renew their country's greatness, as U.S. President Barack Obama did," The Globe wrote.

Perhaps - be it by dint of his intuition or thanks to the Conservatives' polling - Mr. Harper simply understands the mood of Canadians at this time. As Prime Minister David Cameron and President Barack Obama understand their respective peoples.

According to an Ipsos survey of 24 industrialized countries, the Independent reports today that Britons are among the most pessimistic in the world on whether their personal finances will improve.

Canadians, on the other hand, are up toward the top of the countries with whom we normally compare ourselves.

As to reminding Canadians of the achievements of previous generations, as The Globe and Mail reminded us with its relaunch in October, now is Canada's Time to Lead.

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