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Andrew MacDougall

Publishing · On our record since 2014

Where this writer stands

Fiscal policy5 pieces

Higher taxes and public spendingLower taxes and tighter spending
“It needs a smaller, more capable, more affordable public service.” Read the piece

Trade3 pieces

Diversify away from one partnerDeeper continental integration
“If the United States is committed to going rogue, Canada needs to be part of a bigger gang. And of the global gangs now on offer, Europe is the one most attuned to our interests, values and identity.” Read the piece

Defence3 pieces

Restrain spending and deploymentsHigher spending and more capability
“This suggests the government should help to ensure a safe and secure supply of food, water, energy, and housing. Add to that the defence of the realm and the administration of justice, and the base layers of the pyramid are covered.” Read the piece

Foreign affairs3 pieces

Alliance restraintAssertive alliances and sanctions
“Canada is in fight or flight mode and is choosing to fight. Having other people in our foxhole is therefore a good thing, not something to be feared.” Read the piece

Energy2 pieces

Restrict new oil and gasExpand production and export
“He wasn't calling for more natural resource extraction in the West while the Chinese were hoovering up much of South America and Africa in the now-important race for critical minerals.” Read the piece

Public safety1 piece

Prevention and restraintEnforcement and sentencing
“Add to that the defence of the realm and the administration of justice, and the base layers of the pyramid are covered.” Read the piece

Health1 piece

Expand public coverageMore private delivery
“Maslow's government would benefit from a system of compulsory health insurance, as is done in Switzerland.” Read the piece

Climate1 piece

Faster fossil phase-downSlower phase-down, production first
“Memo to the Conservatives: There is an enemy in this story, but his name is Donald Trump, not Mark Carney.” Read the piece

Immigration1 piece

Higher permanent intakeLower intake
“a time when household costs and immigration surged, house building (and other service provision) plummeted, and Canadians were told that everything was just fine.” Read the piece

Only opinion columns and editorials are scored. Each piece is read twice by a language model, which records the author's own stance on a policy topic only where the piece argues one, with a quote that must appear in the piece. An author's position on a topic is the average of their pieces, weighted by the model's confidence. News reporting is listed but never scored.

Recent work