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.

Two MPs rescind requests to remove Indigenous references from federal riding names

A total of 19 riding name-change requests were included in Bill C-25, which is currently at committee stage in the House. The Senate begins its pre-study of the bill on May 27.

news | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | May 27, 2026

Health Minister Michel promotes new press secretary

Plus, Steve Outhouse will soon once again be chief of staff to Pierre Poilievre, now in his office as official opposition leader.

feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | May 25, 2026

Promotions, new hire on the books for Children and Youth SecState Gainey

Plus, Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu has a job opening in her own office following the recent exit of executive assistant Gillian Livingston.

feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | May 20, 2026

End of an era? Victoria Barber Shop owner fights for the future of her century-old business

Ex-MP and longtime client Will Amos says the Victoria Barber Shop is a ‘working-class’ Hill institution that should be respected and accommodated in future plans.

news | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | May 20, 2026

String of staff exits from Finance Minister Champagne’s shop

Plus, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly recently added to her communications team, and Gary Xie has left Secretary of State Randeep Sarai’s office.

feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | May 18, 2026

Minister Olszewski, SecState McLean name new policy advisers

For one, Gregory Frame is now a policy adviser to the secretary of state for seniors.

feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | May 13, 2026

Larry Smith closes another chapter after 15 years in the Senate

At times, Smith says his work as a senator felt a bit like being back on the football field, from learning the ropes as a rookie to playing defence amid the Senate expense scandal.

news | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | May 6, 2026

New directors enlisted in Veterans Minister McKnight’s office

Plus, Shannon Ablett has been promoted to stakeholder relations manager in multi-faceted minister Dominic LeBlanc’s office.

feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | May 4, 2026

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