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Laura Ryckewaert

While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Laura Ryckewaert.

‘It’s none of their business’: Senators hit the brakes on new staff ethics code after political-disclosure rules make waves

‘It’s none of their business’: Senators hit the brakes on new staff ethics code after political-disclosure rules make waves

A new Code of Values and Ethics for Senate Staff—developed and adopted behind closed doors last spring—caught many by surprise when it was implemented earlier this fall, and its requirement for staff to disclose their political activities has sparked concerns among both Senators and their staff. Thanks to a motion from Conservative Senator Michael MacDonald (Cape Breton, N.S.) adopted by...

  • 2025-11-12
  • — Hill Times
‘Putting people first’: new Veterans Minister McKnight readies for fall as advocates push for change

‘Putting people first’: new Veterans Minister McKnight readies for fall as advocates push for change

After a summer spent meeting and greeting current and former service members, new Veterans Affairs Minister Jill McKnight is turning her sights to Parliament’s return next month, and says advancing the National Veterans Employment Strategy and “acknowledgment of the modern veteran” are two top items she’s been working on heading into the sitting. Elected to the House

  • 2025-08-26
  • — Hill Times
‘No apologies for that one’: recently retired Senator Marc Gold talks nine years in the Chamber

‘No apologies for that one’: recently retired Senator Marc Gold talks nine years in the Chamber

The government’s second-ever representative in the Red Chamber, Quebec Senator Marc Gold has retired. But after more than five years working to shepherd through government legislation and build up credibility and faith in the functioning of the new, modernized Senate, he says he feels good about the legacy—and track record—he leaves behind. “I’m satisfied that the vision of a more...

  • 2025-07-01
  • — Hill Times
Senate Conservative ranks could continue to grow, says caucus leader Housakos

Senate Conservative ranks could continue to grow, says caucus leader Housakos

Conservative Senate Leader Leo Housakos pointed to the recent change in prime minister and a desire to join a party-affiliated national caucus as reasons for the uptick. The Senate Conservative caucus recently got its first injection of new blood in more than a decade, with three Senators announcing their decisions to join the Upper Chamber’s only remaining party-affiliated caucus. New...

  • 2025-06-25
  • — Hill Times
Many MPs could start new Parliament without Hill offices

Many MPs could start new Parliament without Hill offices

Hill office assignments are handled by respective party whips, and start with the party with the most seats in the House. New Liberal Whip Mark Gerretsen was named to the role on May 14.

  • 2025-05-16
  • — Hill Times
NDP has a familiar team fighting to keep its presence in the House

NDP has a familiar team fighting to keep its presence in the House

The federal NDP is facing plenty of challenges this campaign—from poor polling, to breaking into the Canada-United States relations narrative that has dominated the race—but the party has a familiar, experienced team on hand leading the fight.

  • 2025-04-15
  • — Hill Times
Prime Minister Carney’s ascension brings lots of change for cabinet staff

Prime Minister Carney’s ascension brings lots of change for cabinet staff

Among those currently working in Mark Carney’s office as prime minister is Emily Williams as media relations lead.

  • 2025-03-19
  • — Hill Times
Despite challenging first two years, Canada’s special rep on Islamophobia is undaunted

Despite challenging first two years, Canada’s special rep on Islamophobia is undaunted

A lot has changed—globally and domestically—in the two years since Amira Elghawaby stepped into the role of special representative on combatting Islamophobia, and despite the rising challenge she’s faced, she says she remains “very hopeful” about the effect her office is having. Elghawaby’s team recently released the Canadian Guide to Understanding and Combatting Islamophobia: For a more inclusive Canada, which...

  • 2025-03-10
  • — Hill Times
Cost estimate for construction of new Hill tunnel network jumps to $200M

Cost estimate for construction of new Hill tunnel network jumps to $200M

Although still in the planning process, the estimated price tag for construction of a new parliamentary tunnel network to connect buildings on the Hill, as well as Parliamentary Precinct buildings south of Wellington Street, has jumped from roughly $180-million—as indicated in 2022—to $200-million. The new estimate was presented to members of the Senate Internal Economy, Budgets, and Administration Committee (CIBA)—the...

  • 2024-11-07
  • — Hill Times
Attitudes on use of notwithstanding clause have changed, and Senate’s approach should, too: Senator Harder

Attitudes on use of notwithstanding clause have changed, and Senate’s approach should, too: Senator Harder

Spurred on by use of the controversial clause in recent years, Ontario PSG Senator Peter Harder says his motion to have the Red Chamber express opposition to the use of the Charter of Rights’ notwithstanding clause in future government legislation is aimed at sparking debate and reflection, and hopefully changes to how the Senate weighs any such future bills.

  • 2024-10-08
  • — Hill Times
Senate bill tackling forced sterilization overhauled, advanced after advocate disquiet

Senate bill tackling forced sterilization overhauled, advanced after advocate disquiet

ISG Senator Yvonne Boyer’s bill to combat forced or coerced sterilizations in Canada is headed for third reading in the Senate after being comprehensively reworked in committee in response to concerns raised last spring over potential unintended consequences. The amendment to Bill S-250—which was moved by Boyer (Ontario) at the start of clause-by-clause consideration at the Senate Legal and Constitutional...

  • 2024-09-24
  • — Hill Times
Ready to rumble: ‘We are going to fight for Canadians,’ says Liberal House Leader Gould

Ready to rumble: ‘We are going to fight for Canadians,’ says Liberal House Leader Gould

The upcoming fall sitting marks the beginning of the final stretch of this Parliament, and with a slate of bills still winding their way through the pipeline and the Conservative official opposition rattling the cages for an early election call, Government House Leader Karina Gould says she’ll be looking to the “other reasonable parties” to find “dance partners” to move...

  • 2024-09-04
  • — Hill Times
Plug pulled on some virtual committee witnesses due to headset rules, prompting call for more consistency

Plug pulled on some virtual committee witnesses due to headset rules, prompting call for more consistency

Strict rules requiring the use of an approved microphone headset to participate virtually in House and Senate proceedings are posing new challenges in arranging witness testimony at committees. Implemented roughly one year ago to better protect the health and safety of parliamentary interpreters, the Translation Bureau has made it mandatory for virtual participants to use a microphone headset from a...

  • 2024-02-20
  • — Hill Times
MPs look to legislate progress on TRC calls to action, harsher sentences for assaulting health-care workers

MPs look to legislate progress on TRC calls to action, harsher sentences for assaulting health-care workers

There are more than 30 private members’ bills currently on Parliament’s horizon at various stages before the House and Senate, including one from NDP MP Peter Julian, who’s looking to make some long-awaited progress this winter in completing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s now almost decade-old calls to action.

  • 2024-01-09
  • — Hill Times