When he’s in the House of Commons during the daily 45-minute Question Period, Mark Carney seems to enjoy himself.
While it’s never shown on TV cameras — House of Commons personnel and not broadcasters control the visuals — those in the galleries will often see Carney smiling and joking with members of the opposition, including Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. Judging by his grins and applause, Carney seems to be happy when someone on his side scores a debating point against an opponent.
But enjoy it as he might, Carney is rarely in Question Period.
A Global News analysis of the official record of House of Commons proceedings, known as Hansard, shows that Carney has been present for just 28 of the 96 QP sessions since the 2025 general election. (The PMO said he’s been present in QP 29 times). Carney’s QP attendance rate of 29.2 per cent pales next to Justin Trudeau’s record in the first year after he was first elected in 2015 — 41 of 89 or 46.1 per cent — or Stephen Harper’s after he was first elected in 2006 — 61 of 95 sessions, or 64.2 per cent.
“I think he could do a few more,” said Conservative MP Ben Lobb (Huron-Bruce) who, after first winning his seat in the 2008 election, has watched all three prime ministers in action in QP. He finds Carney’s poor attendance record puzzling. “He should be here a little bit more.”
The daily QP session can often descend into farce, and the rise of social media has prompted many Conservative MPs especially to simply use their time in QP as an opportunity to create TikTok or Instagram content. That said, it’s the only opportunity opposition MPs have to ask a prime minister to explain his policies.
Every prime minister has their own approach to QP but prime ministers, when they are present, usually answer questions only from leaders of recognized parties or their designates in what is informally known as the “Leaders’ Round,” the first dozen or so questions during QP. Questions from backbenchers outside the Leaders’ Round are usually ignored by the prime minister and answered by a member of the PM’s cabinet.
During Harper’s time in office, for example, that tradition meant that he would normally, though not always, respond to questions from whoever was leading the Liberals, the Bloc Québecois or the NDP.
Get daily National news
Carney, by and large, has continued the tradition of only participating in the “Leaders’ Round.” With one notable exception, that has meant he only responds to questions put to him by Conservatives or the BQ. In the last election, the NDP failed to win enough seats to become an officially recognized party in the House and, perhaps for that reason, Carney has yet to answer a single query from a New Democrat during Question Period. Because of their party status, NDP MPs get only a few slots a week to ask a question and those slots are always at the end of the 45-minute session.
“You know, 1.2 million Canadians voted for us. I don’t think it’s too much to ask the prime minister to wait an extra 10 minutes to answer questions that will be put to him,” said NDP interim leader Don Davies. “The questions the NDP puts to this government are questions that nobody else puts — questions on healthcare, questions on Indigenous rights, questions on progressive foreign policy — questions that don’t come from anywhere else in the house but the New Democrats.”
- With elections near, Quebec premier-designate under tight deadline to revive CAQ
- Opening of new bike lanes in northwest Calgary sparks intense debate
- Greater access to private medical testing in Alberta under proposed legislation
- Canada’s labour ministers agree to ‘harmonize’ some workplace safety standards
Carney’s office did not say why he has not responded to questions from any NDP MPs but a spokeperson did provide this statement: “During this time, the House of Commons has sat for 21 weeks and Prime Minister Carney has participated in Question Period 29 times, responding to questions from the leaders of both officially recognised opposition parties. He has taken a collaborative approach, including meeting with the leaders of all parties to discuss shared legislative priorities.”
The Hansard record indicates the only time Carney departed from his practice of only responding to opposition questions in the Leaders’ Round was on Nov. 17 when, needing her support in a pending confidence vote on the budget, Carney responded to a question from Green Party MP Elizabeth May.
During his time in office, Trudeau established the practice of taking all questions from the opposition — from leaders and from backbenchers — once a week, on Wednesdays.
Lobb, the Conservative MP, never got a chance to put a question to Trudeau, according to Hansard. But, nonetheless, Lobb said Trudeau’s weekly round gave MPs the opportunity to hold the prime minister to account for local or regional issues. Lobb cited the current controversy about a proposed high-speed rail line between Toronto and Montreal. Many eastern Ontario MPs have expressed their opposition, on behalf of constituents, and would likely hope to have the opportunity to hear the prime minister, rather than the transport minister, respond to questions on the topic.
Being present in QP also gives a prime minister a sense of what is important in regions of the country where his own party may not have much representation. The Liberals, for example, have sparse representation in small-town, rural, and Western Canada.
– with files from Sophall Duch
Carney believes he is above everyone else in parliament. He is on a perpetual vacation with the Canadian taxpayers footing the bill. Much little the totally useless Justin.
Carney is rarely in Canada. Too bust traveling to hand our money to useless countries like Lebanon.
King Carney is worse than Trudeau. Neither want to hear from the Minority Fringe (the average Canadian)…
No liberal MP has answered one question in the past 11 years. Why start now?
Question period in the house of commons low priority !!! Virtue signalling speech at the Juno awards top priority !!!
Totally Shameful.
Guy doesn’t love in Canada, hasn’t lived in Canada for years before becoming prime Minster of Canada, most deals he gets don’t actually benefit Canadians, hardly in question period, which is where the opposition party is able to hold them to account and explain why they are doing what they are doing, and after 11 years the same rhetoric from the progressive liberal party has never changed, just the main face of the party, and that guy doesn’t even show up most of the time nor does he stay very long of he is there.
Why do Canadians put up with this? Clearly he doesn’t think he needs to answer to anyone, especially the Canadian people, but maybe that’s why they have insane immigration levels, to replace the voter base, could it be the same play book the democrats of usa did?
Of those 2.2 mil Canadiand, 1.999 mil know99% of the questiond put forward are formed to create dischord and agression toward the Liberal party and are a complete waste of everyone’s time , especially tht of a very busy PM in a time of crisis! He really doesn’t have time to play useless games with anyone who does not have the betterment of our country at top of their mind!
Carney links Brookfield corporations, bank of England pyramid scandal. Seizure of Canadian citizens bank accounts illegally, Epstien. Goldman Sachs last stock market crash for profit then getting citizens to bailout the scam. Canada future MOUs equals nothing. China never lowered the tariffs but the fire ball EVs are coming try holding China accountable when they cause death remember Chinese created covid problem?
Find Online Jobs (500$-6000$ Weekly) safe and secure! Easy Acces To Information. Simple in use. All the Answers. Multiple sources combined. Fast and trusted. Discover us now! Easy & Fast, 99% Match.
.
Follow Here ………Www.Cash54.Com
Steven W Oh PLEASE do give us examples of the “critical deals”. You do know that all of the deals made so far are with countries that only amount to less than 8% of our trade. The really critical deal he promised, and has NOT delivered, is with the USA, which is almost 80% of our trade. Like it or not Carney has failed to deliver any substantial deals for Canadians.
He won’t answer questions because he’s already made it perfectly clear Canadians are low priority to him. He sits in the Question Period snickering and throwing condescending glances at others actually participating in the QP.
All he does is jet around the globe, with nothing to show for. Remember “promises” aka MOUs are NOT actually signed deals. We’re still waiting for the latter. If ever.
You are fools baiting for a scandalous headline! He cannot be overseas negotiating critical trade deals, and increasing business for Canada AND sitting in a chair.
Shoot that mother f *cker Carney
The ignorance and stupidity of the left knows no bounds. History has taught them nothing… which why the left is continually trying to re-write and cancel history. Gotta keep them voters in the dark.
He is busy building a better Canada for all of us, even the haters
Carneys presence in question period…think you missed commenting on his achievements during this period.
Could it be he is in transit during the time’s for Question Period – perhaps an overlaid of his calendar travel & question period ?
“A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.” Edward R. Murrow. “To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men.” Abraham Lincoln.
He is afraid of public accountability after giving ridiculous talking point answers to legitimate questions. He is a dictator in waiting.
Dictators never answer questions.
William, kindly explain the damage Carney has caused to Canada … What process has he not respected?
Our ‘democracy’ is really just theatre. Why does Carney need to respect the process when he’s about to steal a majority government. Trump, the Chinese, our subtly bias mainstream news and apathetic voters in Canada all ensured another Liberal term despite all the damage they caused.
His time is far better spent actually implementing and improving the outlook for all Canadians than wasting time answering stupid accusations.
to busy making money for Brookfield.
The attendance record displaying the quintessential pic of Trudeau looking as sharp as a stick of warm butter is the best part of this article.
What a dumpster fire that clown was only to be followed by Carney throwing more taxpayers cash into the flames
PM Carney has done so much for Canadians already, he doesn’t even need to be there.
Don’t ask me to name any of his accomplishments, I just believe what the Liberals tell me regardless of the facts around me.
PP doesn’t deserve to be there because he is in opposition to everything the Liberals do. He is just a big bully .
How is Carney supposed to make it to the HOC when his itinerary is booked solid with globetrotting vacations ?
Who Cares !
Elbows Up Suckers,I’m just here for my own gain,Suckered!
But he’s a people person and is there for Canadians, afterall, we’re doing so good! [sarcasm]
carnival Carney
carnival Carney
He thinks it’s a joke all the liberals do is laugh at his jokes never answers a serious question everything is a joke
Remember, skidMark was installed by the Liberals to continue to run an utterly corrupt, incompetent and power hungry federal government. Ten+ years of destroying Canada still not enough for brainwashed twerps whose knowledge only comes from the mainstream media trough. In their eyes skidMark can do no wrong, despite the obvious he doesn’t care about any of us.
When all the l i b t a r d s eventually come to realise they were conned by a little man with a low iq then unfortunatly for real Canadians it will be to late. But most of us can reminisce about how good our country was before the l i b e r a l incompetence that has crippled our country.
Question Period is a $hitshow at the best of times. I can’t blame the Prime Minister at all.
PM Carney of Canada is hardly ever in Canada let alone parliament. He is a raving coward who thinks he doesn’t have to follow rules or face his peers. Very much like Trump yet too much the coward to pull what Trump is doing.
He is an elite fop who thinks much to highly of himself and does not give two sh*ts about Canada or its people or he would be in that HOUSE on OUR BEHALF! Not the corporate/Brookfield behalf! F*CK YOU CARNEY!!
No surprise given he would be incapable of defending his decisions when seriously questioned
Best to just let their bought media do the talking
If Carney doesn’t want the job maybe he should pack it in.
Carney knows that qp is strictly performative, especially for the cons social media trolls. Carney is a doer not a circus 🤡 like pp.
Beverly wood is getting triggered everyone. Yes Bev we get it. Mark hasn’t gotten anything accomplished like he promised. Yes it makes both of you look bad but you still need to come to your senses.
Can’t blame him. He is a busy man
Honestly now, how can anyone be so dumb and out of touch with reality that they vote Liberal after a 11 years of continually declining standards in this once-great country. I seriously suspect anyone who votes Liberal really do not care about their children. Like those garbage mothers that tell their kids that they are trannies just so they can have their 15 min of fame. Truly terrible parents.
Why not get some work done instead of listening to the same old talking points for months? Clown show or what?
LOL to the people on here talking about Brookfield. Old, debunked argument. If that’s all you’ve got, please stay home.
The Conservatives want him in QP more because that is their performance theatre. PCMC knows that. He is doing important things. We should abolish (or greatly revamp) QP, it’s just the Conservatives throwing red meat to their fans, usually.
Carney works for Brookfield and the banks. But TDS warps the lefts mind into blue haired insanity. Sort of like that freak poster Anonymous. He needs MAID desperately
Because he is out trying to make sure we make it through this tariff situation with the craziness below us. Not too hard to figure out.
Creepy PP LOVES QP. He gets to flap his gums and be as disruptive as possible. That is how he does things, and never accomplishes anything.
Carney doesn’t care about democracy in Canada. He doesn’t care to listen about people’s problems. All he cares about is traveling the world and making side deals for Brookfield.