John Geddes is a senior political writer at Macleans.ca, Canada’s premier news magazine. His reporting focuses on federal governance, media policy, and constitutional law, with an emphasis on data-driven analysis. Based in Ottawa, Geddes has become a trusted voice on populism’s intersection with Canadian institutions.
John Geddes has carved a niche as a seasoned political analyst at Macleans.ca, Canada’s leading current affairs publication. With a career spanning over two decades, Geddes’ work bridges rigorous policy analysis and accessible public commentary. His early years included roles at regional newspapers, where he honed his ability to dissect complex legislative processes. By the mid-2000s, he transitioned to national journalism, focusing on federal politics and institutional accountability.
This 2023 analysis dissects Canada’s resilience against far-right movements compared to global trends. Geddes contrasts institutional safeguards like the nonpartisan civil service with the U.S.’s polarized bureaucracy. He cites the 2022 Ottawa protests as a case study, arguing that Canada’s multiparty system dilutes extremist factions. The piece synthesizes interviews with constitutional scholars and data from Elections Canada, offering a counter-narrative to alarmist media coverage.
“Canada’s electoral system, while imperfect, creates centrifugal forces that pull parties toward the median voter. This isn’t an accident—it’s by design.”
Geddes prioritizes legislation’s long-term societal impacts rather than daily political theatrics. A successful pitch might explore how proposed privacy laws intersect with provincial healthcare data systems. For example, his 2021 piece on Quebec’s Bill 64 avoided partisan angles, instead evaluating compliance costs for small businesses.
He frequently collaborates with think tanks and universities. A recent article on Arctic sovereignty cited a Dalhousie University study on ice-melt economics. Pitches should include access to pre-publication research or exclusive interviews with subject-matter experts.
While Geddes examines contentious issues like online hate speech, he avoids reducible “left vs. right” narratives. His analysis of the Online Streaming Act focused on CRTC implementation challenges rather than ideological debates about censorship.
