I don't have anything meaningful to add, but I've appreciated reading all of the previous replies.
Learning about Mulroney and the Canadian political situation of the 1980s does reiterate Frank's point that Canada is a much harder country to govern than is typically recognized.
The list of problems and compromises with governing Canada:
Balance the economic and cultural might of their southern neighbour with their local interests.
A vocal French majority in Quebec.
The canadian part of the Great Plains.
The canadian part of New England.
Minorities that are larger and more competing than in the United States.
A geographical extent only 2nd to Russia.
A larger urban share due to the very bad weather.
Authoritarian instincs from the British Empire.
It's like trying to govern Oklahoma and New Hampshire jointly together at the same time with France, without a strong army or a flexible party system, but with the British Monarchy.
All while being dragged here and there by N.Y.C. levels of immigrants and the State Department down your neck.
