Aug 14 2019 — Laura Ryckewaert — Hill Times — There are less than 10 weeks left until voters go to the polls as scheduled on Oct. 21 and it’s an open question as to when the federal election campaign will officially begin, but many political observers anticipate a shorter campaign this fall, close to the 36-day minimum. “What is abundantly clear from everything I’ve […]
Jul 24 2019 — Laura Ryckewaert — Hill Times — The federal battleground in Quebec is shifting, with a renewed Bloc Québécois shaping up to be real competition, and a factor other parties can’t afford to overlook, say experts. A year ago, a then-fractured Bloc Québécois was “not a threat” to the major parties in the battle for Quebec’s 78 federal seats, said Carl Vallée, […]
Jul 17 2019 — Laura Ryckewaert — Hill Times — Recent polls may indicate a majority of Canadians support the government’s plowing ahead with the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project, but with further opposition actions expected, experts say the best Liberals can likely hope for is to not lose too many progressive voters. “It’s very unlikely that it’s going to help them win support anywhere […]
Jun 19 2019 — Laura Ryckewaert — Hill Times — More electoral education, mentorships for rookies, and proactive party policies will help bring about a needed increase in Indigenous representation in federal politics, from the elected-level down, say Indigenous MPs and a former candidate. The last 150 years of Canadian history have shown the devastating impact government policy can have on Indigenous lives, the residential […]
Jun 12 2019 — Laura Ryckewaert — Hill Times — Long-awaited parental leave provisions are in the final stretch in the House of Commons, with the proposed new system allowing Members of Parliament to be absent from the House Chamber for up to 12 months after the arrival of a new child. “I feel hard work is accomplished now. But I’m just a little bit […]
Jun 5 2019 — Laura Ryckewaert — Hill Times — With the release of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ final report and recommendations, Indigenous women say they’re looking to all federal parties to pick up the inquiry’s calls in their platforms for October. “I’m really hoping that all the parties will make a commitment to what their platform will […]
Apr 29 2019 — Laura Ryckewaert — Hill Times — The clock is ticking, with just under 40 sitting days left in this Parliament and 38 government bills still on the Order Paper, and the 2019 budget implementation bill will be front and centre in the House this week amid rising partisan tempers and pre-election posturing. The start of spring means the start of the […]
Apr 8 2019 — Laura Ryckewaert — Hill Times — Indigenous leaders from across Canada say their trust in the Liberal government’s promise of a renewed relationship with Indigenous peoples has been broken and they’re looking for concrete action, soon, or it could mean punishment at the polls in October. “The prime minister may have meant what he said, and I don’t doubt that he […]
Jan 21 2019 — Laura Ryckewaert — Hill Times — The NDP is drawing on support from top Hill staffers, B.C. NDP MPs, and party resources “all over the Lower Mainland” to get NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh elected in the February byelection in Burnaby South, NDP MPs and strategists say. The byelection is considered critical to the party’s overall fortunes and Mr. Singh wants to […]
Dec 20 2018 — Laura Ryckewaert — Hill Times — An end-of-year senior staff shake-up has taken place in the Prime Minister’s Office, as part of which, Brian Clow has been promoted to the title of executive director of Canada-U.S. relations and issues management. A string of changes were announced in a recent memo to staff from PMO chief of staff Katie Telford and principal […]
Dec 10 2018 — Laura Ryckewaert — Hill Times — Despite trailing in fundraising and opinion polls, and a steady loss in vote-share in federal byelections since 2015, NDPers say they’re optimistic the party can turn things around and be competitive in 2019, but much hangs on new leader Jagmeet Singh’s upcoming byelection campaign. “There’s a corridor available for the NDP to do the critique […]
Dec 3 2018 — Laura Ryckewaert — Hill Times — NDP MP Charlie Angus says the House should set up a new and permanent standing committee to tackle digital issues, including online privacy and regulation, in light of growing global concern over how tech giants like Facebook protect personal data and disseminate information online.
Nov 26 2018 — Laura Ryckewaert — Hill Times — Packing for any move can be a meticulous thing. Piles of papers and books and memories have to be sorted through, deciding what to take and what to toss. Artwork and furniture has to be carefully catalogued and wrapped, ensuring precious items arrive safely in new homes. It’s much the same for the remaining occupants […]
Oct 29 2018 — Laura Ryckewaert — Hill Times — Conservative MP Peter Kent says his Instagram and Facebook accounts were recently hacked and shortly before officials from the Communications Security Establishment warned MPs that federal political parties, politicians, and traditional and social media will be more vulnerable to cyber threats in the next election. Mr. Kent (Thornhill, Ont.) said he started receiving “strange” messages […]
Oct 22 2018 — Laura Ryckewaert — Hill Times — The Conservative Party’s reported $2-million national ad push is its “opening salvo” of the 2019 election, and pollsters and strategists say the two ads currently on airwaves are both aimed at introducing new leader Andrew Scheer and putting “pocketbook” issues in focus in the lead-up to the next campaign. “I would consider this the opening […]