When New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani announced his run for mayor of New York City, few in Canada were likely paying attention. But in the wake of Mamdani’s inspiring win, the Canadian chattering class, from the pundits to political candidates across the political spectrum, have decided that Canada needs a “Mamdani moment.”

Every pundit, Twitter user, and left-wing politician in the country seemed to have a take on how the Canadian left could take advantage of Mamdani’s win. If the Left played its cards right, they argued — if it embraced videos of candidates walking and talking in urban settings, copied his ground game, adopted bold ideas, or, most simplistically, called itself democratic socialist — then maybe, just maybe, Canada could have its own “Mamdani moment.”

Comparison is natural, and failing to learn from Mamdani and the New York City left would be a mistake. But so far, the lessons drawn appear to stop at digital tools and communications strategies featuring stylized text and quick-cut videos of candidates speaking directly to the camera as they stroll through their communities.