Laura Ryckewaert

Laura Ryckewaert has been a reporter with The Hill Times since 2011 and a deputy editor since 2019. Originally from Toronto, she’s been living in the national capital since 2007 and is a graduate of Carleton University’s bachelor of journalism program. She tackles the Hill Climbers column for the paper, which follows political staffing changes on Parliament Hill, and, among other things, regularly covers the Procedure and House Affairs Committee, the Board of Internal Economy, and Parliamentary Precinct renovations.

Robertson adds deputy chief of staff, regional adviser, and more

In other office updates, Diane Chieng is now a deputy director of operations to the minister, and Muna Tojiboeva is deputy director of parliamentary affairs.

feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | April 27, 2026

Proposed removal of Indigenous references in three federal riding names draws criticism

First Nations communities from two of the three affected federal ridings told The Hill Times they were not consulted and do not support the proposed name changes.

news | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | April 21, 2026

Press secretary changes for ministers Sidhu, Diab

Plus, former Liberal MP Francesco Sorbara is no longer working in Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne’s office.

feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | April 20, 2026

Director changes among updates to Conservative Leader Poilievre’s team

Mackenzie Sly was promoted as the new director of Conservative Caucus Services in March, and among the recent exits is that of outreach director Robert Thompson.

feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | April 15, 2026

Catching up with ex-cabinet staffers

Former PMO aide Laurie Bouchard started a new job with L’Oréal this past January, while ex-cabinet aide Éloge Butera has joined Power Sustainable.

feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | April 15, 2026

What would it take to create a new Senate group?

A number of Senators have reportedly been weighing the idea of establishing a group more focused on prioritizing government business since the start of the new year.

news | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | April 15, 2026

Fresh advisers boost Energy Minister Hodgson’s office

Plus, Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski recently hired a new regional adviser to her team.

feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | April 8, 2026

Some 1,700 expat voters are eligible to cast ballots in upcoming federal byelections

Elections Canada confirmed that all 1,770 Canadians living abroad registered as of April 1 have validated international addresses, following a recent registration ‘anomaly.’

news | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | April 8, 2026

Senate committee calls for leadership presence in cabinet as part of recs aimed at curbing omnibus budget bills

The recommendation calling for a leader of the government in the Senate to be appointed to cabinet faced some opposition at the committee table.

news | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | April 6, 2026

New operations director in Foreign Affairs Minister Anand’s shop

Plus, Hill Climbers catches up with the now five-member team for Secretary of State for Combatting Crime Ruby Sahota.

feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | April 6, 2026

Secretary of State Fuhr recruits familiar face as new chief of staff, James Cudmore

Plus, an update on Women and Gender Equality Minister and Secretary of State for Small Business and Tourism Rechie Valdez’s team.

feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | April 1, 2026

‘Indigenous-inspired’ art in Senate room in Centre Block deemed ‘cultural appropriation,’ removed

The decision was reportedly made after an Indigenous Senator touring Centre Block raised questions about the decorative paintwork on the walls and ceiling of room 256-S.

news | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | April 1, 2026

Globetrotting gap? Some MPs back idea of more House training, safety information while travelling abroad

While the House does an ‘excellent job’ of protecting the cybersecurity of MPs while travelling, Tory MP Stephanie Kusie says she sees a gap in information and training on general security.

news | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | March 30, 2026

Senior advisers among fresh additions to Carney’s PMO

Plus, Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand has hired a director of stakeholder relations for her office.

feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | March 30, 2026

The Hill Times’ 100 Most Influential People in Politics and Government in 2026

The Hill Times spoke with political insiders over the last month to nail down the list of people who are leading and influencing federal government policy and shaping public opinion this year. Here is our Top 100 Most Influential People in Government and Politics in 2026, organized by politicians, pollsters, political influencers, staffers, public servants, and media.

news | BY ABBAS RANA, LAURA RYCKEWAERT, NEIL MOSS, MARLO GLASS, STUART BENSON, KATE MALLOY, SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN, JESSE CNOCKAERT, IREM KOCA, ELEANOR WAND, PETER MAZEREEUW | March 30, 2026

Three exits, two promotions, and two hires in Minister Gull-Masty’s shop

Plus, Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty has a new director of parliamentary affairs, among other recent staffing changes.

feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | March 26, 2026