I see the London attacks attract some kind of attention, sympathy, and pledge to fight the terrorists 9/11 in the US never attracted on the part of Canadians, conservative, moderate, and left-leaning.
Deep down the hearts, Britain is still regarded as Canada's Mother Country. When Mother Britain is attacked, Canadians who are never moved by attacks on the rebellious-elder-brother-who-left-home-and-striked-rich aka the United States will become emotionally involved.
Well, FWIW, I'm sure that Hillier would have had the same viewpoint even if London wasn't attacked. He's been pushing for reform in the Canadian Forces and increasing our muscle since day one of his promotion.